Typeface Classification

The set of broad categories used to describe and compare typefaces. The most common groupings are: serif (letters with small projecting strokes at terminals, e.g. Times, Roboto Serif), sans-serif (no terminal strokes, e.g. Helvetica, Arial, Roboto), slab serif (heavy block-shaped serifs, e.g. Roboto Slab), monospace (every character occupies the same horizontal space, e.g. Courier, Roboto Mono), display (decorative faces designed for headlines), and script (handwriting-like). For accessibility and readability, classification matters because category systematically influences reading speed, comprehension, fatigue, and individual preference - sans-serif and accessible-designed faces (Atkinson Hyperlegible, OpenDyslexic) are common defaults, but research increasingly shows that the best typeface depends on the reader, with notable interactions for dyslexic, low-vision, and ADHD users.