Non-Designer’s Type Book, The, Second Edition

Large or Small X-Height

An exceptionally large x-height decreases legibility. Some faces have such large x-heights that an “n” is hardly different from an “h.”

And a very small x-height also decreases legibility. The body of the character is disproportionate to the cap height, and our eyes find this to be distracting—besides the fact that the letters appear too small.

Notice there is not much difference between the “n” and the “h,” nor between the “i” and the “l” in “William.” Typeface is Antique Olive Roman.

Although this typeface is pretty and very distinctive, it is not the most legible. Typeface is Bernhard Modern.