In graphic design, font weight refers to the thickness of a text. It signifies the boldness of the individual strokes and lines that form the characters within a typeface. It typically represents the degree of visual density a font possesses.
Font weight can be either thin or thick; designers can decide which to use based on the requirements of a design. Font weight can be changed by using keywords, commands for functions, and numerical values. They have applications in all types of designs and are used to make text more visually appealing.
Not to be confused with
Font Size
It refers to the overall height of characters in a font.
Font Style
It refers to the design and appearance of characters in a font.
Applications & Uses of Font Weight
Font weight in graphic design is used for the following purposes -
- It establishes visual hierarchy by making the most important text bold and the other text thinner.
- Font weight also helps guide the user’s attention to CTAs and other important aspects of the design.
- Using varying font weights helps make the text on designs more readable.
- Font weights are used to control the tone of a design. For example, thinner fonts look more elegant.
How to Use Font Weight in Graphic Design?
Here is how to use font weights in design -
- Using keywords - In web design, font weights can be changed using simple keywords like normal, bold, lighter, and bolder.
- Using numerical values - They can also be changed by using numerical values from 100 to 900, with 100 being the thinnest and 900 being the thickest. The most common values are 400, which is considered normal, and 700, which is considered bold.
- Using design software - Many graphic design tools allow designers to select different weights directly from a font menu or a dedicated typography panel.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.