extrabold

Extrabold is a designation used in typography to describe a font weight thicker than bold. It is commonly labeled ExtraBold or Extrabold in many type families and is typically positioned at the higher end of the font-weight scale (often 800 or higher). Some families use the exact name Extrabold, while others call it ExtraBold; variable fonts can represent extrabold by adjusting the weight axis across a range.

Usage: Extrabold provides strong emphasis for headings, display text, and branding. It creates visual hierarchy when paired with regular or light weights, and is often reserved for short blocks rather than long body text. Its legibility depends on the typeface, size, and context.

Technical considerations: In web typography, extrabold is requested with font-weight: 800 or 900, but availability depends on the font file. If a family does not include an exact extrabold face, the browser may map to the nearest available weight. Rendering quality varies with hinting, anti-aliasing, and screen resolution; variable fonts allow finer control.

Design and pairing: Common practice is to pair extrabold with regular or light for contrast. For branding or headlines, extrabold often dominates the composition; ensure sufficient color contrast for accessibility.

Variations and naming: The term is sometimes used interchangeably with extra bold or 800/900 on the weight scale. Different font families produce different glyph shapes and metrics at extrabold, affecting width and x-height.

See also: bold, black, heavy, font weight, typography.