ABSTRACT
In order to maximize online reading performance and comprehension, how should a designer choose typographical variables such as font size and font type? This paper presents an eye tracking study of how font size and font type affect online reading. In a between-subjects design, we collected data from 82 subjects reading stories formatted in a variety of point sizes, san serif, and serif fonts. Reading statistics such as reading speed were computed, and post-tests of comprehension were recorded. For smaller font sizes, fixation durations are significantly longer, resulting in slower reading -- but not significantly slower. While there were no significant differences in serif vs. san serif fonts, serif reading was slightly faster. Significant eye tracking differences were found for demographic variables such as age group and whether English is the subject's first language.
- Tinker, M. Legibility of Print. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa (1963)Google Scholar
- Paterson, D. G., Tinker, M. A. Studies of Typographical Factors Influencing Speed of Reading: II. Size of Type. Journal of Applied Psychology, 13:2 (1929), 120--130.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Legge, G. E., Pelli, D. G., Rubin, G. S., Schleske, M. M. Psychophysics of Reading: I. Normal Vision, Vision Research, 25:2 (1985), 239--252.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Bernard, M., Lida, B., Riley, S., Hackler, T., Janzen, K. Comparison of Popular Online Fonts: Which Size and Type is Best? Usability News, 4.1, (2002)Google Scholar
- Paterson, D. G., Tinker, M. A. Studies of Typographical Factors Influencing Speed of Reading: X. Style of Type Face. Journal of Applied Psychology, 16:6 (1932), 605--613.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Boyarski, D., Neuwirth, C., Forlizzi, J., Regli, S. H. A Study of Fonts Designed for Screen Display. Proc. CHI 1998. 87--94. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Rayner, K. and Pollatsek, A. The Psychology of Reading. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ (1989)Google Scholar
- Paterson, D. G., Tinker, M. A. The Effect of Typography upon the Perceptual Span in Reading. American Journal of Psychology, 60 (1947), 388--396.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Tinker, M. A., Paterson, D. G. The Effect of Typographical Variations upon Eye Movement in Reading. Journal of Educational Research, 49 (1955), 171--184.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Morrison, R. E., Rayner, K. Saccade Size in Reading Depends upon Character Spaces and Not Visual Angle. Perception and Psychophysics, 30:4 (1981), 395--396.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Beymer, D. and Russell, D. WebGazeAnalyzer: A System for Capturing and Analyzing Web Reading Behavior Using Eye Gaze. In CHI 2005 Extended Abstracts. 1913--1916. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Beymer, D., Russell, D., Orton, P. Wide vs. Narrow Paragraphs: An Eye Tracking Analysis. In Interact 2005. 741--752. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Kemper, S. and McDowd, J. Eye movements of Young and Older Adults while Reading with Distraction. Psychology and Aging, 21:1 (2006), 32--39.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Oller, J. W. Assessing Competence in ESL: Reading. TESOL Quarterly, 6:4 (1972), 313--323.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Yen, M.-H. and Radach, R. Saccades and binocular coordination in reading: Effects of viewing distance and font size, In 14th European Conference on Eye Movements (2007)Google Scholar
- Darroch, I., Goodman, J., Brewster, S. A., and Gray, P. D. The effect of age and font size on reading text on handheld computers, In Interact 2005, 253--266. Google ScholarDigital Library
Index Terms
An eye tracking study of how font size and type influence online reading
Recommendations
Towards Individuated Reading Experiences: Different Fonts Increase Reading Speed for Different Individuals
In our age of ubiquitous digital displays, adults often read in short, opportunistic interludes. In this context of Interlude Reading, we consider if manipulating font choice can improve adult readers’ reading outcomes. Our studies normalize font size by ...
The effect of typeface and font size on reading text on a tablet computer for older and younger people
W4A '19: Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All ConferenceThis study investigated the effect of typeface and font size on reading on tablet computers with younger and older participants in Thailand and the UK in Thai and English respectively. The effects of two typeface (serif and sans serif) and three font ...
The effects of font type and size on the legibility and reading time of online text by older adults
CHI EA '01: CHI '01 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing SystemsThis study examined passages containing two serif and sans serif fonts at 12 and 14-point sizes for differences in legibility, reading time, and general preference when read by an older population. A significant main effect of size was found for font ...
Comments