The legibility of numerals
By varying the skeleton of the digits we identified versions of the digits ‘1’, ‘3’, ‘7’ and ‘9’ that are more legible than other versions.
To enhance the peripheral legibility of numerals we designed three versions of the digits from 1 through 9 by modifying their skeletons while controlling for variations of other physical parameters. Observers identified the different versions of the digits in random three-digit strings, presented within their peripheral visual field.
Our results showed that the digit ‘1’ should have a narrow design without a crossbar at the bottom, the digits ‘3’ and ‘9’ benefit from open apertures, and the digit ‘7’ should have a straight leg and no serif at the horizontal bar.
Other research findings
Character complexityProject type
Serifs at a distanceProject type
Legibility of NumeralsProject type
One-storey ‘a’Project type
Typeface familiarityProject type
Width of narrow lettersProject type
Centre for Visibility Design
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts,
Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation
School of Design
Philip de Langes Allé 10
1435 København K
M +45 41 70 18 83
E sbe@kadk.dk
W kadk.dk