Supportsoft Glossary

Using Display Type Effectively

Display type consists of large, prominent text used for headlines and titles. It is designed to capture attention and set the tone rather than for extended reading. 

If body copy is the conversation, display type is the shout across the room. These are typefaces designed specifically to be huge—think headlines, subheaders, and big call-to-action buttons. Unlike body text, which tries to blend in, display type wants to be seen. It carries the personality and distinctiveness of the page.

In our interface, we use display type to break up sections and create impact. Because we use these fonts sparingly, we can get away with more unique shapes or tighter spacing that would be unreadable at small sizes. But, with great power comes great responsibility. If everything is a "shout," the page gets noisy. We generally stick to H1 and H2 tags for display type to keep the hierarchy clear.