Accessible Fonts
Font Type
- Use sans serif fonts (e.g., Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, OpenSans) because they are easy to read on screen. In online environments, sans-serif fonts have a higher readability than serif fonts.
- Avoid serif fonts (e.g., Times New Roman, Georgia, Garamond). Fonts with serifs (decorative strokes at the ends of each letter) can reduce clarity, especially at small screen sizes or low resolutions.
Font Sizes
The following recommended font size ranges are based on instructional design and digital accessibility best practices.
Word, Canvas, and PDF
The following are Word, Canvas, and PDF font size recommended ranges.
| Element | Canvas Font Sizes | Word & PDF Font Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heading 1/H1 | NA | 24–28 pt |
In Word, PDF, etc., this is the title of your document. Use H1 rather than Title style. In Canvas the name/title of the page is automatically H1. You can't specify size. |
| Heading 2/H2 | 18–20 pt | 18–20 pt | Used for major subsections. Must be visually distinct from H1. |
| Heading 3/H3 | 16–18 pt | 16–18 pt | Mid-level heading; bold weight helps improve clarity. |
| Heading 4/H4 | 14–16 pt | 14–16 pt | Sub-subheadings. Keep spacing and contrast strong. |
| Heading 5/H5 | 12–13 pt | 12–13 pt | Minor headings. Don’t reduce lower than 12 pt. |
| Body Text/Paragraph | 11–12 pt | 11–12 pt | This is the font size of body text, bullets, numbered lists. We recommend 12 pt for online viewing. Avoid going below 11 pt in documents. |
PowerPoint
Because PowerPoint slides are meant to be read from a distance, the recommended font sizes are larger.
Note: PowerPoint does not use heading styles (Heading 1 - Heading 5).
| Element | Recommended Font Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Slide Title | 40–48 pt | Use the Title Placeholder (not a text box). Required for screen readers. |
| Slide Subheadings | 32–36 pt | Use bold text inside a content placeholder or textbox. Simulates an H2-style heading. |
| Slide Content/Body Text | 22–28 pt | This ensures legibility from a distance and meets cognitive accessibility needs. |
| Captions / Notes | 18–20 pt | For image descriptions or slide footnotes. Maintain high contrast. |
| Data Labels (Charts) | 18–20 pt | Use sans serif fonts. Ensure labels don’t blend into backgrounds. |
| Table Text | 22–24 pt | Avoid cramming data. Ensure clear contrast and avoid condensed fonts. |
| Slide Footers | 18–20 pt | Optional, but must be readable and have sufficient contrast if used. |
Underlined Text
- Only underline hyperlinks. Example: Read more about link conventions.
- Do not underline text for emphasis. Underlining text implies that the text is a link.
Bold Text
Use bold to emphasize key words or phrases. Use bold sparingly to draw attention without overwhelming readers.
Italicized Text
Use italics with caution. Italics can be hard to read, especially for people with vision issues.
- Use bold text for emphasis instead of using italics.
- Avoid long sections of italicized text, when possible.
Line Height/Spacing
For readability, a line height of 1.5 to 2.0 is typically recommended for body text because it improves readability for users with cognitive and visual impairments. Avoid single-spacing in large blocks of text.