crossbarline

Crossbarline is a term used in typography and type design to describe the horizontal line that crosses the main vertical or curved stroke of certain letters. It is part of what is commonly called a crossbar, the feature that helps define a letter’s character in many typefaces.

In practice, the crossbarline appears in several Latin-script letters, such as the upper-case A, where the crossbar connects the two uprights, and the upper-case H, where the horizontal bar joins the vertical stems. It also occurs in various lower-case letters depending on the font, such as t and f, where the crossbar or cross-stroke intersects the main stroke. The length, thickness, and vertical position of the crossbarline influence a letter’s perceived weight, openness, and readability, and they contribute to the overall tone of a typeface—from geometric and neutral to humanist or decorative.

Typography guides note that the term crossbarline is descriptive and sometimes used interchangeably with crossbar or cross-stroke, though the standardized vocabulary in typographic practice typically favors crossbar. Designers adjust crossbarline characteristics to achieve optical balance, legibility, and stylistic intent within a type family. In combination with other letterform features, the crossbarline helps establish the distinctive identity of a typeface.

See also: crossbar, letterform, typography, type design, typeface.