Blog Typography Best Practices — Font Pairings for Long-Form Content

Typography for Blogs and Long-Form Content

Blog typography has one job: keep readers engaged through long passages of text. Every typographic decision, from font choice to line spacing, should serve readability.

Recommended Blog Pairings

Heading Font	Body Font	Style
Inter	Merriweather	Modern + Traditional
Work Sans	Lora	Minimal + Literary
Nunito	Merriweather	Friendly + Readable
Crimson Pro	Work Sans	Literary + Clean

Optimal Reading Parameters

article {
  max-width: 65ch;           /* 60-75 characters per line */
  font-size: 18px;           /* Larger than default for comfort */
  line-height: 1.7;          /* Generous spacing */
  letter-spacing: 0.01em;    /* Slightly open */
  word-spacing: 0.05em;      /* Aid word recognition */
}

The 65ch Rule

Research consistently shows that 60-75 characters per line is optimal for reading speed and comprehension. Using max-width: 65ch automatically adapts to your font's character width.

Paragraph Spacing

Use margin-bottom between paragraphs rather than text-indent. A spacing of 1.5em between paragraphs creates clear separation without disrupting reading flow.

Dark Mode Typography

In dark mode, reduce font weight by one step (400 to 300 for body text) and increase letter-spacing by 0.01em. White text on dark backgrounds appears heavier than the same weight on light backgrounds due to halation.