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USWDS + Tailwind

Typography

Compare how the typography theme normalizes font sizes and line heights across typefaces, with a reference chart.

Font Size Normalization

Typefaces vary in optical size. This means that at any specific pixel value, an optically small typeface like Source Sans Pro will appear smaller than an optically large typeface like Merriweather. Optical size is a function of internal font metrics and typeface design choices like x-height.

Using “font size” classes (e.g. .text-lg) automically applies the font normalization multiplier to both the font-size and line-height attributes.

Using “line height” classes (e.g. .leading-tight) does not apply the multiplier, so use with caution.

Native Size

Normalized Size

Reference Chart

Supported typeface Multiplier Initial size Final size
Open Sans 1.01 16px 16.16px
Public Sans 1.0 16px 16px
Merriweather 0.98 16px 15.68px
Source Sans Pro 1.06 16px 16.96px
Roboto Mono 0.95 16px 15.2px
Georgia 1.05 16px 16.8px
Helvetica 1.01 16px 16.16px
Tahoma 1.0 16px 16px
Verdana 0.99 16px 15.84px