The 3 Most Effective Font Sizes for Website Copy: Boost Readability, Engagement and Conversions
In today’s digital world, content is king — but the appearance of that content can significantly affect its ability to engage your audience, drive traffic, and ultimately, increase conversions. Font size is a crucial factor to consider when optimizing website copy. This is what can make or break a user’s experience, determining how easy or difficult it is for them to read and interact with your content. In this article, we’ll cover the three most effective font sizes for website copy that will help you boost readability, engagement, and conversions.
Why Font Size Matters
The importance of choosing the right font size goes beyond aesthetics — it has a direct impact on user experience, retention, and conversion rates. A font size that’s too small can strain the reader’s eyes and scare them away, resulting in high bounce rates. On the other hand, a font size that’s too large can be overwhelming and make the website look unprofessional.
Studies have shown that improving readability can drastically enhance user engagement. For example, simply increasing font size by 3 points has been proven to increase the speed of reading by 25% source. By implementing the most effective font sizes for website copy, you’re setting your content up for success.
The 3 Most Effective Font Sizes for Website Copy
1. Body Text: 16px – 18px
When it comes to your main body text, bigger is often better. Most typography experts agree that the optimal font size for body text is between 16px and 18px. This is the sweet spot for readability, allowing users to consume your content comfortably without having to squint or zoom in to read. The widespread use of 16px as the default font size for websites like Gmail, Microsoft Word, and countless others indicates its suitability for the majority of audiences.
Incorporating this font size range across your website not only ensures readability but also creates a more streamlined and consistent appearance.
2. Headings and Subheadings: 24px – 36px (H1), 20px – 24px (H2)
Effective use of headings and subheadings can transform the structure and navigation of your website copy. Utilizing larger font sizes for your H1 and H2 tags is essential as it distinguishes them from the body copy, helping to guide the reader through the content.
For H1 tags, a font size of 24px to 36px is highly recommended. This size is both visible and attention-grabbing, allowing users to quickly identify the primary topic of your content. For H2 tags, a slightly smaller font size, between 20px and 24px, is advised. This maintains a clear hierarchy while still ensuring readability and easy navigation.
3. Calls-to-Action (CTAs): 18px – 24px
An effective CTA is instrumental in driving conversions, and choosing the right font size plays a pivotal role in increasing its visibility and click-through rates. Opting for a font size between 18px and 24px for your CTAs can help to strike a balance between readability and prominence. This size range ensures that your CTA stands out from other elements on your website while remaining easy to read and interact with.
Flowpoint.ai, a web analytics company that uses AI to understand website user behaviour, is an excellent example of a company implementing effective font sizes across their site. Their AI-generated recommendations, including UX/UI and content optimizations, help boost conversion rates by offering users an improved browsing experience, backed by data-driven strategies.
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Final Thoughts
The importance of font size in website copy cannot be overstated. Ensuring that your content is well-structured and employs the most effective font sizes is crucial in engaging and retaining your audience, ultimately leading to increased conversions. Remember, readability should be your top priority — after all, content is the foundation of any successful online presence.