7 Typography Tips That Actually Improve Your UI

Use simple and legible typefaces

Avoid: Sacrificing readability for style.

Fancy fonts might look cool, but if users can’t read them, they don’t work. Stick with clean, readable typefaces that feel effortless to scan.

Keep lines between 45–75 characters

Avoid: Short or long text blocks.

Too few characters break the reading rhythm. Too many make it hard to follow. The 45–75 range is the sweet spot for readability.

Left-align long text blocks

Avoid: Centering dense paragraphs.

Centered alignment is difficult to read in dense text blocks, as it disrupts the user’s ability to scan lines efficiently. For longer paragraphs or dense content, left alignment provides better readability and flow.

Use 130–160% line-height

Avoid: Tight or loose line spacing.

The right line-height creates breathing room without breaking flow. Too tight feels cramped. Too loose breaks reading momentum.

Test with and design for real copy

Avoid: Relying on Lorem Ipsum.

Placeholder text doesn’t reflect how your design will actually function. Real content reveals real layout issues.

Customize type scale steps for your context

Avoid: Blindly trusting typescale presets.

Design systems are great, but your content needs should come first. Adjust scale steps based on real use—not rigid rules.

Tighten up line-height for titles

Avoid: Leaving headings too loose.

Headlines need less space between lines than body text. A tighter line-height gives your headings structure and visual strength.

Final Thought

Typography is invisible when it’s done right—and frustrating when it’s not. By following these typography tips for UI design, you’ll create layouts that are clean, readable, and user-friendly.