SemiBold

SemiBold is a font weight used in typography to describe a stroke thickness between Regular and Bold. It is typically mapped to the numeric weight 600 on the common 100–900 scale, and in CSS is often specified as font-weight: 600. Exact thickness can vary between typefaces, so the visual impact of SemiBold is not standardized across fonts.

Naming for this weight varies: some font families label it SemiBold, others use DemiBold or MediumBold. Because weight definitions are not universal, the same label can look different from one typeface to another.

Usage of SemiBold is common for subheadings, emphasis within body text, and UI elements where noticeable emphasis is desired without the stronger impact of Bold. It can help establish hierarchy and readability, but may reduce legibility at small sizes or low contrast depending on the font.

Design considerations include how a font’s shapes, contrast, and metrics affect perceived weight. Some families include a distinct SemiBold with unique glyphs, while others achieve a similar effect by adjusting weight, optical size, or hinting. Designers should test SemiBold across sizes and media to ensure consistent appearance.

Availability and web usage: most modern font families provide a 600 weight or a variant labeled SemiBold. In web design, font-weight: 600 is widely supported; if a font does not offer an exact 600 weight, browsers may simulate with nearby weights. Accessibility guidelines emphasize sufficient contrast and legibility when using SemiBold.