Distinguishing Serif from Sans Serif Fonts

Serif vs Sans Serif

Most people enjoy experimenting with the various fonts available in MS Word when typing up documents or sending and receiving emails. Although there are numerous fonts to choose from, they can generally be divided into two categories: serif and sans. Understanding the differences between these two categories can help make your text more appealing and readable.

Serif Typeface

Serif is a typeface characterized by the decorative feet of its letters. This typeface is easily recognized by the small lines trailing out of the edges of the letters. The serif typeface is believed to have originated during Roman times when letters were engraved on stones. Stone engravers created these trailing lines to neaten the letters and alphabets they carved. The word “serif” is thought to have been derived from the Dutch word “shreef,” which means a line or stroke of a pen or pencil.

Serif fonts are easy to read in print, making them popular choices for newspapers and magazines. Times New Roman is a well-known example of a serif font.

Sans Serif Typeface

“Sans” is a French word meaning “without.” As such, sans serif is a typeface that lacks the trails or lines emanating from the edges of letters and alphabets. This typeface features no flourishes, and the letters appear simple and rounded. The clean design of sans serif typefaces makes them highly readable on the internet. Examples of sans serif typefaces include Verdana, Arial, and Tahoma.

Key Takeaways

• Serif and sans serif are two distinct typefaces that can be applied to most fonts.
• Serif typefaces feature decorative feet on the letters, while sans serif typefaces do not.
• Serif typefaces are better suited for print, while sans serif typefaces are more appropriate for web use due to lower resolution.