Readable typography is the set of font and text decisions that make an email easy to scan, understand, and act on. It covers font choice, size, line height, spacing, and how text is emphasized. In email, typography is constrained by client support, so readability depends on practical choices rather than purely aesthetic ones.
Why Typography Breaks in Email
Unlike the web, email clients vary widely in CSS support and font rendering. A type scale that looks perfect in a browser can look cramped in a desktop client or oversized in mobile. Readability is tightly connected to email accessibility because recipients may use assistive technology, zoomed interfaces, or high-contrast settings. If text is too small or spacing is tight, the email becomes tiring to read, and conversions drop even if the content is good.
Practical Rules for Readable Type
Most teams improve readability by standardizing a few rules: consistent base font size, generous line height, and clear link styling. Contrast is critical, which is why color contrast should be checked alongside typography. Avoid long all-caps headings and overly light font weights, which can disappear on low-quality screens. Typography also supports visual hierarchy. A clear hierarchy of headline, subhead, and body text helps recipients understand the message quickly.
Testing Typography Across Clients
Typography should be tested where people actually read emails. Check rendering in key clients and on mobile devices. Verify that line breaks do not create awkward widows, and that buttons and links are visually distinct from body copy. If your email program has multiple contributors, encode typography in reusable blocks and templates so it does not drift. This makes email UX better because emails become consistent and predictable, even when many teams contribute content.
Readable Typography and Topol
Topol helps teams standardize readable typography through structured blocks and predictable output, making it easier to keep templates consistent across clients. Learn more at Topol or create an account at Topol signup.