legibile

Legibile is a term used in some discussions to refer to the ease with which written text can be read. The standard English term is legible, and the Italian equivalent is leggibile. In typography and user interface design, legibility focuses on how readily individual characters can be distinguished, as distinct from readability, which concerns overall comprehension of the text.

Key factors that influence legibility include the choice of typeface, font size, stroke contrast, x-height, and the distinctive shapes of letters. Spacing elements such as letter spacing (tracking), word spacing, and line height also affect how quickly characters can be identified. Context matters: text on screens, printed pages, and at different distances or under varying lighting conditions can shift legibility requirements.

Practical guidelines aim to optimize legibility: select clear, well-designed typefaces with distinct letter shapes; avoid overly condensed or ornate fonts for body text; use an appropriate size and adequate line height; ensure sufficient color contrast between text and background. On the Web, accessibility standards emphasize contrast ratios to support legibility for users with vision impairments, typically aligning with widely recognized guidelines.

Legibility is distinct from readability, which covers how easily a reader understands the content. Designers typically test legibility with real users and adapt typography to the medium, audience, and context to ensure that text remains quickly and reliably identifiable across diverse environments.