Typography in WordPress is key to good web design. It affects user experience and brand identity. Therefore, choosing the right fonts is essential. The right fonts improve readability, accessibility, and aesthetics. This article explains why typography matters and how to use it well in WordPress themes.
Table of Contents
Why Typography in WordPress Themes Matters
Typography shapes how users interact with your site. Clear fonts make content easy to read. Additionally, good typography keeps visitors engaged, lowers bounce rates, and strengthens branding. Moreover, accessible fonts help users with visual impairments navigate the site more comfortably.
Implementing Typography in WordPress Themes
Define Fonts in theme.json
Block themes can set fonts in theme.json. For example:
{
"settings": {
"typography": {
"fontFamilies": [
{
"slug": "primary",
"fontFamily": "Open Sans, sans-serif"
},
{
"slug": "secondary",
"fontFamily": "Lora, serif"
}
]
}
}
}Because this is a design course more than development, I don’t go through codes very much. In the next part, see how to implement typography visually.
Typography in WordPress Site Editor
There is a dedicated section related to typography in the WordPress Site Editor. If you have a block theme, there are many options for you.
In the video below, I continued working on the Alvand Blog WordPress Theme we created from scratch in this tutorial series. Here is the version of the theme related to this blog post. I reviewed some typography settings to learn how to use them in action in a real theme.
Best Practices for Choosing Fonts
Prioritize Readability
Fonts should be easy to read. Thus, choose clear letterforms, proper spacing, and balanced contrast. Sans-serif fonts like Open Sans, Roboto, or Lato work well for body text.
Limit Font Choices
Using too many fonts can clutter a design. Instead, use two or three—one for headings, one for body text, and an optional accent font. Ensure they match for a consistent look.
Use Web-Safe and Google Fonts
For better compatibility, choose web-safe fonts or Google Fonts. Notably, Google Fonts offers free, optimized options that load quickly and read well.
Set Proper Font Sizes and Line Heights
Font size and line height significantly affect readability. Ideally, use 16px–18px for body text, with a line height of 1.5–1.75. Furthermore, headings should be larger and spaced well.
Maintain Proper Contrast
Ensure the text contrasts well with the background. Dark text on a light background is typically best; however, test color schemes for better visibility.
Use Variable Fonts for Performance
Variable fonts offer multiple styles in one file. As a result, they reduce HTTP requests and improve load speed. WordPress themes can use these fonts for better design and performance.
Conclusion
Typography is crucial in WordPress themes. Good fonts improve readability and user experience. Therefore, choose clear fonts, keep styles consistent, and follow best practices. Your theme will look great and perform well if you follow these steps.
All Parts of This Series
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