14 Accessible Font Styles

Accessible font style guides are a combination of best-practice recommendations, feedback from users with disabilities, and legislative requirements. These recommendations are also specific to digital environments and may not align with accessible fonts for print mediums.

Okay to use:

• Sans serif fonts (Calibri, Arial, and Open Sans).
• Font size of 12+ or larger (Word, Web, Avenue) and 18+ or larger (PowerPoint).
  • Fonts larger than the body text should be used for headings.
• Bolded text.
• 1.5 minimum line spacing (recommended when this does not impair the visual interpretation).

Do not use:

• Serif fonts: Times New Roman.
• Italic or script fonts: Freestyle Script.
• Compressed fonts: Bernard MD Condensed.
• Fonts with uneven line weights: Broadway.
• Decorative fonts: Algerian.
• Italicized font.
• Underlined (use only for hyperlinks).
• Strikethrough (if used, provide additional clarification or context in text).

Many of these fonts are not recommended as they can be difficult to read due to the shape and heights of their letters.

A note on symbols:

Symbols may not be interpreted by all assistive technology in the same way or how you intend the symbol to be read. This can be of particular importance when creating formulas. When in doubt, offer an alternative text version of the formula.