Overview: Clear, consistent book typography helps readers forget the page and fall into the story. Use the right typeface, size, spacing, and line length to improve comfort and comprehension. This guide shows how to set book typography that looks professional and reads smoothly.
Readability basics
- Goal
- Comfortable, invisible text that supports flow and comprehension.
- Core levers
- Typeface, point size, line spacing, line length, margins.
- Targets
- 10–12 pt for body type in print, 120–145% line spacing, 50–75 characters per line.
- Proof
- Test printed pages at actual trim size, then adjust before layout is final.
These targets come from respected sources used by book designers. For example, see Butterick’s Practical Typography: key rules. User experience research also supports the sweet spot of roughly 50–75 characters per line in the Baymard Institute line-length study.
Choose a typeface
Pick a book-proven serif for long passages. Classics like Garamond, Minion, Sabon, Baskerville, and Caslon are popular because their proportions and texture stay even at small sizes.
| Choice | Great for | Why it helps readability |
|---|---|---|
| Oldstyle serifs (Garamond, Sabon, Caslon) | Novels and memoir | Warm color, modest contrast, friendly curves that reduce eye fatigue. |
| Transitional/Modern serifs (Baskerville, Minion) | Nonfiction and essays | Crisp structure and consistent rhythm, strong italic for emphasis. |
| Humanist sans (Myriad, Source Sans) | Workbooks and tables | Simple forms aid scanning, best in short bursts or larger sizes. |
Tip: Embed fonts in print PDFs and stay above the minimum sizes required by your printer. For details, review KDP’s guidance on embedded fonts and minimum sizes.
New to layout? Read our step-by-step Amazon self-publishing guide and learn how to find the best editor for your book before you finalize a type system.
Set point size and line spacing
Targets to start with
- Point size: 10–12 pt in print for body text; see Butterick’s recommended ranges.
- Line spacing (leading): 120–145% of point size. If your text is 11 pt, try 13.5–16 pt leading as advised in Practical Typography.
Why it matters
Too tight and lines blur. Too loose and vertical rhythm breaks. Use larger leading when lines are long or the face has tall x-height. Reduce slightly for shorter lines.
Control line length and margins
Lines that are too wide increase regressions, while very short lines break phrases. Aim for 50–75 characters per line for most books, as shown in the Baymard readability research. A broader range of 45–90 characters is acceptable per Butterick’s line-length guidance.
Margin tip: Interior margins must include space for binding. Confirm specs in KDP’s trim and margin requirements.
For broader platform planning, see our primer on building an effective author website.
Hyphenation and justification
Books often use justified text for a formal look. Turn on hyphenation to avoid rivers and inconsistent spacing. Adjust hyphen limits to avoid awkward breaks. Prioritize line length and spacing first, then fine tune hyphenation as recommended in Practical Typography’s summary.
- Use hyphenation with reasonable limits on consecutive hyphens.
- Avoid hyphenating very short words and proper nouns.
- For ragged-right text, shape a gentle rag and reduce hyphens.
Prevent widows, orphans, and runts
Widow: last line of a paragraph at the top of a page. Orphan: first line of a paragraph at the bottom of a page. The Chicago Manual of Style Q&A clarifies the terms and suggests controls during layout.
- Keep at least two lines of a paragraph at the top or bottom of any page.
- Watch for runts, a single short word as a final line, and tighten tracking slightly or edit to fix.
- Use “keep options” in your layout app for headings and subheads.
Special cases
Nonfiction with notes
Choose a body face with clear numerals and a matching sans or serif for footnotes. Reduce footnotes by 1–2 points with looser leading for clarity.
Children’s books
Use larger sizes, generous leading, and wider margins. Prioritize open counters and simple letterforms. Test with your target age group.
Ebooks
Readers can change size and fonts. Keep semantic structure clean so devices reflow well. Avoid hard line breaks and manual hyphens.
Checklist and workflow
- Pick a proven body face and italics.
- Start at 11 pt, set leading around 1.3×, and print a sample spread.
- Adjust margins to hit ~50–75 characters per line.
- Turn on hyphenation and tune limits.
- Check for widows, orphans, and runts on every chapter.
- Embed fonts, export a press-ready PDF, and proof again.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using free or unlicensed knockoffs that have poor spacing and hinting.
- Setting long lines with tight leading, which invites rivers.
- Turning off hyphenation in justified text, which forces big gaps.
- Ignoring widows and orphans at page breaks.
- Forgetting to embed fonts and check printer requirements. See KDP’s font and PDF checklist.
Service spotlight: WriteLight Group offers manuscript editing and book interior design that can tune typography for your genre. Explore WriteLight Group services.
FAQs
What is the best font size for a novel?
Most novels read well between 10 and 12 pt, depending on the typeface. Print sample pages at trim size and adjust until texture and page count balance. See Practical Typography’s quick summary.
How much line spacing should I use in print?
A good range is 120–145% of point size. If you set 11 pt, try 13.5–16 pt and test with your chosen font, following Butterick’s guidance.
How many characters per line is ideal?
Keep body text near 50–75 characters for steady reading flow. Evidence for this range appears in the Baymard line-length analysis.
Do I need hyphenation in a printed book?
Yes. When you justify text, enable hyphenation to keep spacing even. Fine tune limits to avoid awkward breaks, per Practical Typography.
What is a widow or orphan in typesetting?
A widow is a last line at the top of a page. An orphan is a first line stranded at the bottom. The Chicago Manual of Style Q&A on widows and orphans explains how to prevent them.
Wrap up
Pick a proven face, set size and line spacing with care, control line length, and mind page breaks. That simple checklist can lift readability and professionalism. Want expert eyes on your pages? Work with WriteLight Group.
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