Tiny Fonts and Low Contrast? Your Users Can't Read That!

When it comes to website design, content is king—but what if no one can read it?

A surprisingly common mistake in UX/UI design is neglecting the readability of on-screen text. It’s not just about font choice; it's about size, color, spacing, and visual hierarchy. Poor typography doesn’t just frustrate users—it drives them away, often without you even realizing it.

In this article, we’ll dive into why typography matters so much for user experience, how small fonts and low contrast alienate a large portion of your audience, and what you can do to fix these issues for better engagement and accessibility.

The Case for Readable Design

Imagine visiting a blog to read an article that piqued your interest—only to be met with tiny, faint text that strains your eyes. Instead of zooming in or fiddling with your screen brightness, you leave. You're not alone.

This was exactly the experience of many users on a writer’s blog that used 11px light gray font on a white background. While the minimalist design may have appeared sleek and modern, it had an unintended consequence: users over 40, who made up a significant part of the audience, found it physically difficult to read. They exited quickly, leading to high bounce rates and low engagement on long-form content.

Poor readability hurts content performance, SEO rankings, and user retention. Good design shouldn’t sacrifice function for form.

Why Small Fonts and Low Contrast Are a UX/UI Issue

Typography is more than aesthetics—it’s a usability factor. Fonts that are too small or hard to distinguish from the background create friction in the user experience. When reading becomes effortful, users disengage.

Key Problems with Poor Readability:

• Eye strain and fatigue, especially during long reading sessions
  
  

• Exclusion of older users or those with visual impairments
  
  

• Lower time-on-page metrics, which can affect SEO
  
  

• Reduced content comprehension, impacting brand trust and clarity
  
  

What Is WCAG and Why It Matters

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a framework for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. One of their recommendations is maintaining a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

Following WCAG standards ensures your website is usable by as many people as possible, including those with low vision or color blindness. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about inclusivity and reach.

Fixing Readability: Best Practices for UX/UI Typography

To avoid alienating your readers, especially those on mobile or with visual challenges, follow these fundamental design principles:

1. Use Readable Font Sizes

• The minimum font size for body text should be 16px on desktop and mobile.
  
  

• For older audiences or longer content, go up to 18px or even 20px.
  
  

2. Increase Line Height

• A line height (also known as leading) of 1.4–1.6x the font size improves scanning and flow.
  
  

• Avoid tightly packed lines which make it harder to track from one line to the next.
  
  

3. Enhance Contrast

• Choose color combinations with sufficient contrast. For example, black (#000000) text on a white (#FFFFFF) background is ideal.
  
  

• Avoid light gray text on white or pastel backgrounds—common in “minimalist” designs that backfire.
  
  

4. Limit Font Variations

• Use no more than 2–3 font families across the entire site.
  
  

• Maintain consistent sizing and hierarchy using heading tags (H1–H6) and CSS styles.
  
  

5. Test with Real Users

• Conduct usability testing across various age groups and devices.
  
  

• Use accessibility testing tools like WebAIM, Lighthouse, or axe to evaluate color contrast and text readability.
  
  

6. Consider Context and Content Type

• Long-form articles? Go for larger font sizes and increased spacing.
  
  

• E-commerce product pages? Keep font legible but prioritize scannability.
  
  

Designing for Inclusivity

Readability isn’t just about convenience—it’s about respect. By designing for everyone, not just those with perfect vision and high-resolution monitors, you widen your audience and deepen user trust.

Inclusive typography helps:

• Older users
  
  

• People with dyslexia or cognitive differences
  
  

• Users browsing in low-light conditions
  
  

• Mobile users reading on small screens
  
  

The Business Case for Readable Design

Improving readability has direct, measurable benefits:

• Lower bounce rates
  
  

• Longer session durations
  
  

• Higher engagement on blog content
  
  

• Improved SEO through better dwell time
  
  

In short, readable design leads to better performance, both in terms of usability and business results.

Final Thoughts

Typography is often overlooked in favor of flashy visuals and creative layouts. But the most beautifully designed site is useless if users can’t read the content.

If your font is too small or your contrast too low, you may be losing valuable users every day—especially those who could be your most loyal readers or buyers.

Take a step back, audit your website’s typography, and ask yourself: is this truly readable? If not, it’s time to fix it. Because when users can’t read your message, they won’t stay to hear what you have to say