Mastering Font Weight & Hierarchy: A Guide to Readability & Design

TypographyDocumentFormattingDesign
Written By Blake Hughes

Let’s be real—nobody enjoys reading a wall of text. Whether you’re crafting a sleek document, an engaging presentation, or a snazzy digital layout, nailing your font hierarchy is a game-changer.

A well-structured typography setup doesn’t just make things look good; it makes your content easier to read, digest, and enjoy. So, let’s break it down in a way that’s clear, helpful, and—dare we say—fun!

Why Font Hierarchy Matters

Typography hierarchy isn’t just about looking pretty—it’s a functional powerhouse.

When text is arranged with different font sizes, weights, and styles, it guides your reader’s eyes like a friendly tour guide. Making content easier to scan and understand.

A solid font hierarchy:

  • Boosts readability by breaking info into snackable sections.

  • Directs attention to the most important points (because nobody has time to hunt for key takeaways).

  • Enhances user experience in both print and digital formats.

  • Adds structure and flow, making everything feel polished and professional.

The Three Levels of Font Hierarchy

A strong font hierarchy typically has three key levels. Let’s take a look:

1. Headings

These are your big, bold attention-grabbers. They should stand out like a headline on a news site.

Headings serve as the roadmap of your content, giving readers a clear indication of what each section covers. They should be short, compelling, and set the stage for what’s coming next.

  • Recommended Font Size: 24px – 40px (or 1.5x – 2.5x the body text size)

  • Font Weight: Bold (700+) for instant clarity

  • Purpose: To break up content and make scanning a breeze

2. Subheadings

Subheadings are your trusty sidekicks, keeping content neatly organized and easy to follow. Their role is to break down complex ideas, making them more digestible for the reader.

A well-crafted subheading should provide context for the section, act as a natural transition, and help skimmers quickly find the information they need.

  • Recommended Font Size: 18px – 24px (or 1.25x – 1.5x the body text size)

  • Font Weight: Medium to Semi-Bold (500–600)

  • Purpose: To provide extra context and highlight important info

3. Body Text

This is where the magic happens—your main content lives here, so readability is key. The body text should deliver valuable information in a clear and structured way.

Using bullet points, short paragraphs, and bold keywords can further enhance readability.

  • Recommended Font Size: 14px – 18px (or 1x the default text size)

  • Font Weight: Regular to Medium (400–500)

  • Purpose: To deliver the goods in a comfortable reading format

Best Practices for Text Readability

Want your text to shine? Keep these golden rules in mind:

  • Use Contrast Smartly: Make sure there’s a clear difference between headings, subheadings, and body text.

  • Stick to 1–2 Font Families: Too many fonts? Chaos. Keep it simple and cohesive.

  • Whitespace is Your BFF: Let your text breathe with plenty of spacing.

  • Line Spacing Matters: Aim for a line height of around 1.5x the font size for effortless reading.

Get Your Free Font Hierarchy Cheat Sheet

We know that remembering all these details can be a lot, so we made it easy for you. Grab our free Font Hierarchy Cheat Sheet—your go-to reference for nailing typography every time.

[Download the Free Font Hierarchy Cheat Sheet]

By mastering font weight and hierarchy, you’ll create content that’s not just easy on the eyes, but also highly effective.

Keep experimenting, have fun with it, and soon, structuring text like a pro will be second nature.

Got questions or typography wisdom to share? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear from you!

Blake Hughes