nondots

Nondots is a term used in typography and graphic design to refer to characters or glyphs that do not contain dots. This distinction is most commonly made in relation to the lowercase letters i and j, which in many typefaces are distinguished by a dot above the main stroke. Nondots are those versions of i and j where this dot is omitted, resulting in a simpler, more integrated form.

The use of nondots is a stylistic choice that can affect the overall appearance of text. In some contexts, nondot characters can contribute to a cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic. This is particularly true in designs where legibility at small sizes or across different media is a concern, as the absence of dots can sometimes reduce visual clutter. Conversely, in other instances, the dot is considered an essential part of the letterform, aiding in recognition and clarity.

Historically, the presence or absence of dots on lowercase i and j has varied across different type designs and printing traditions. Modern digital typography offers a wide range of fonts, some of which include nondot variants, while others exclusively use dotted versions. The decision to use nondots is often made by designers based on the intended message, the target audience, and the desired visual impact of the typography. It is a subtle but noticeable detail that contributes to the nuanced art of font design.