Anatomy of Type
Understanding the parts of letterforms—from baseline to cap height.
Vertical Measurements
Shown in Didot — notice the dramatic contrast between thick and thin strokes, and how the ascender of 'H' and descender of 'g' and 'p' extend beyond the x-height.
X-Height Comparison
X-height varies dramatically between typefaces, affecting readability at small sizes.
Stroke & Structure
Stem
The main vertical stroke of a letter. In Helvetica Neue, stems have consistent width throughout.
Bowl
The curved, enclosed part of letters. Futura's geometric bowls are nearly perfect circles.
Counter
The enclosed or partially enclosed space within letters. DM Sans has open counters for better legibility.
Aperture
The opening in letters like c, e, s. Compare Helvetica's tight aperture vs Futura's wider opening.
Serif Styles
Serifs are the small projecting features at the ends of strokes. Different serif styles convey different personalities.
Terminals
The end of a stroke that doesn't have a serif. Terminal shapes vary widely and give typefaces distinct character.
Horizontal Terminals
Helvetica Neue cuts strokes horizontally, creating its characteristic rational feel.
Angled Terminals
Futura uses diagonal cuts that follow the geometric construction of each letter.
Stroke Contrast
The variation between thick and thin strokes within a letterform.
Distinctive Characters
Certain letters reveal the most about a typeface's design. Here are key characters to examine: