Categorizing fonts can be simple when you know what characteristics to look for.  Here are six common font categories and some characteristics of each:

Serif

• A serif font will have a small line attached to the end of the letter stroke
• These fonts have thin/thin transition strokes
• These fonts are usually very easy to read
• Common Uses for Serif fonts: Used most often in printed materials because of the readability. The human eye can recognize the shape faster with serifs.
• Example Font: Times Roman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sans Serif

• Sans serif fonts are composed of simple lines and have little or no thick/thin transition strokes at all
• These fonts have no serifs
• Common Uses for Sans Serif fonts: Used most often in web materials. The lower resolution of computer screens make it difficult to see serifs. So, a sans serif font will display cleaner. Sans Serif fonts are often used in headings and captions in printed materials.
• Example font: Helvetica

 

 

 

 

 

Oldstyle

• An oldstyle font will have serifs (a small line attached to the end of a stroke)
• The serifs are slanted on lowercase letters
• These fonts tend to have diagonal stress on curves and medium thick/thin transitions
• This type of font tends to be easy to read
• Example Font: Bookman Old Style

 

 

 

 

 

Modern

• A modern fonts will have serifs that are thin
• The serifs are flat on lowercase letters
• These fonts tend to have vertical stress on curves
• The thin/thick transitions are dramatic – moving quickly from very thin to very thick
• Modern typeface was meant to replace the outdated look of the Oldstyle fonts
• Example Font: Bodoni

 

 

 

 

 

Script

• A script font appears to be hand written
• These fonts are usually used to add style
• Character strokes may connect one letter to the next
• Example font: Bradley Hand

 

 

 

 

 

Decorative

• Decorative fonts are rarely used for blocks of text
• These fonts often include symbols or flairs that convey specific information or emotions
• Example font: Outlaw