Best Fonts for Accessibility to Create an Inclusive Experience

The font you choose can either invite users into your content or push them away. For individuals with visual, cognitive, or reading disabilities, the right font can make the difference between an inclusive experience and one that excludes it.

In this blog, we’ll explore the best fonts for accessibility, covering ideal typefaces, font sizes, and colours. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to create content that is both readable and inclusive for all.

What Are the Properties of Accessible Fonts?

Not every font is created with accessibility in mind. Some fonts can make text harder to read, especially for individuals with visual, cognitive, or reading disabilities. 

An accessible font should be clear, easy to read, and adaptable to diverse user needs. With this in mind, here are the key properties of accessible fonts:

• Clear design: Open, well-defined letterforms that are easy to distinguish.
• Spacious: Adequate spacing between letters, words, and lines to reduce crowding.
• Readable: Large x-height makes lowercase letters more identifiable.
• Distinctive: Differentiates similar characters like “I” and “l” or “0” and “O.”
• Scalable: Stays legible when font size or spacing is increased.

This is not an exhaustive list of properties. There are additional factors to consider when choosing an accessible font, but including them here might make things overly complex. For more details, read WebAIM’s guide on typefaces and fonts.

What are the Best Fonts for Accessibility?

• OpenDyslexic: Best for individuals with dyslexia.
• Sans-serif fonts: Best for general accessibility needs.
• Atkinson Hyperlegible: Best for users with vision impairment.
• Lexend: Best for people with cognitive challenges or reading difficulties.
• Georgia: Best for users who prefer serif fonts.

OpenDyslexic

OpenDyslexic is specifically designed to assist individuals with dyslexia by improving readability. Its letters have heavier bottoms, providing a sense of stability and reducing letter flipping or rotation.

That said, many dyslexic individuals on Reddit have expressed that they don’t find OpenDyslexic ideal. Instead, they tend to prefer standard fonts such as Roboto, Arial, Montserrat, or Times New Roman.

If your website is specifically targeted at individuals with dyslexia, you can use OpenDyslexic or other dyslexia-friendly fonts mentioned above. However, if your audience includes all kinds of users, it’s better to avoid OpenDyslexic.

Sans Serif Fonts

Sans serif fonts are widely recognised as the most accessible font category and are suitable for diverse audiences. Their clean, uncluttered design and uniform stroke width enhance readability, especially on digital screens.

Common sans serif fonts include Arial, Verdana, Roboto, and Helvetica. W3C, the authority on web accessibility, uses a Sans-serif font stack with Verdana, Arial, and Helvetica as primary options.

If you’re looking for an accessible font that accommodates a wide range of disabilities, consider one of the sans serif fonts listed here. We recommend Arial or Helvetica for their versatility and readability.

Lexend

Lexend is a sans-serif font family specifically designed to improve reading speed and reduce visual stress. It was developed with cognitive accessibility in mind, making it an excellent choice for individuals with dyslexia, ADHD, or other reading difficulties.

The font’s expanded letter and word spacing reduce crowding and improve clarity. Its clean, minimalistic design ensures it remains easy to read without being overwhelming, making it versatile for both digital and print formats.

Atkinson Hyperlegible

Atkinson Hyperlegible is a unique font designed by the Braille Institute to enhance readability for individuals with visual impairments. Unlike traditional fonts, it focuses on maximising character distinction, making it easier to differentiate similar letters.

While it is primarily a sans-serif font, it includes some subtle serifs or stylistic elements on certain characters to enhance differentiation and readability. This hybrid approach helps users with visual impairments easily distinguish between similar letters.

Dyslexic users appreciate it. Its blend of sans serif with subtle serif elements appeals to a wide audience. Users with vision impairments find it effective. People with reading difficulties also find it helpful. This versatility makes it one of the best accessible fonts.

Georgia

Georgia is one of the most accessible serif fonts, designed to ensure readability across both digital and print formats. Its larger x-height, clear letterforms, and generous spacing make it easier to read, even at smaller sizes.

This font is particularly beneficial for individuals with mild visual impairments or those who prefer serif fonts for long-form reading. Some dyslexic individuals on Reddit have reported liking Georgia as well, making it a good option for certain users.

What Are the Best Font Sizes for Accessibility?

A good starting point is 16px (12pt) for regular body text – it strikes a nice balance between readability and usability. For larger text, such as headings or emphasised content, 24px (18pt) is typically recommended as a minimum to ensure clarity.

Note that WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) do not impose a minimum size or colours for texts. However, WCAG emphasises that all text should be scalable up to 200% using standard browser features without loss of content or functionality.

What Are the Best Font Colors and Contrast Ratios for Text?

For font colours, the best practice is to use dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background. This combination maximises readability for most users. For example, black or dark grey text on a white background works well.

When it comes to contrast, WCAG recommends the following ratios:

• 4.5:1 for regular text (below 18pt or 24px).
• 3:1 for large text (18pt or 24px and above, or 14pt bold).

To ensure your text meets these guidelines, use tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker or browser extensions to test your font and background combinations. These tools can help you quickly identify issues and adjust your design to meet accessibility standards.

How Can You Test Fonts for Accessibility?

The best way to determine which font works for your audience is to ask them, particularly users with disabilities. Tools can help you test contrast and scalability, but they can’t identify the most suitable font for your specific users.

Conduct polls or usability tests with your audience, focusing on disabled users to understand their preferences and needs. This direct feedback ensures you choose fonts that create the most accessible and inclusive experience.

Take the Next Step Toward True Accessibility

Choosing an accessible font is a great first step toward creating an inclusive website, but it’s just the beginning. True inclusivity means ensuring that every part of your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

If you’re unsure how accessible your website is or want to identify barriers that may exclude disabled users, we recommend running a free accessibility audit with WebYes. Discover the issues holding your site back and take actionable steps toward making it inclusive for everyone.