What is the difference between readability and legibility?

When it comes to written communication, readability and legibility are two important factors to consider. Both are related to the ease with which a reader can understand and read the text, but they refer to slightly different things.

In this article we look at the what each of these actually mean and how to improve them in order for you to improve communication with your audience.

Readability

Readability refers to how easy or difficult a piece of text is to understand or comprehend. It takes into account factors such as sentence structure, vocabulary, and organisation of ideas. A text with high readability is one that is clear, concise, and easy to follow. Readability is often measured using formulas like the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Score, which considers factors like the number of syllables per word and the length of sentences to assign a reading level to a piece of text.

Improving readability can help you communicate your message more effectively and ensure that your audience understands your message. Here are some tips to improve readability:

1. Use simple and clear language: Avoid using complex jargon or technical terms that your readers may not understand. Instead, use simple language and explain any complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.

2. Organise your content: Break your content into smaller chunks with headings and subheadings to help guide your readers. Use bullet points and numbered lists to make the content more scannable.

3. Use shorter sentences and paragraphs: Long, convoluted sentences and paragraphs can be difficult to follow. Use shorter sentences and paragraphs to make your content more readable.

4. Choose the right font: Use a legible font that is easy to read, such as Arial or Times New Roman. Use a font size of at least 12pt to ensure that the text is large enough to be read comfortably.

5. Use white space: Use white space to break up large blocks of text and make your content more visually appealing.

6. Consider your audience: Consider the reading level and preferences of your audience. Adjust your writing style and content to suit your audience.

By following these tips, you can improve the readability of your content and ensure that your message is communicated clearly and effectively.

Legibility

Legibility, on the other hand, refers to how easily a reader can read the individual characters or words in the text. This includes factors such as the font type, size, and spacing. A text with good legibility is easy to read and has clear, distinct characters or words that are easy to distinguish. This is particularly important for written materials that are intended to be read at a distance or in poor lighting conditions, such as signs or labels.

Improving legibility can make your text easier to read and reduce eye strain for your readers. Here are some tips to improve legibility:

1. Use a legible font: Choose a font that is easy to read, such as Arial, Verdana, or Times New Roman. Avoid decorative or script fonts that may be difficult to read, especially at smaller font sizes.

2. Use an appropriate font size: Use a font size of at least 12pt to ensure that the text is large enough to be read comfortably. If you are designing for print, consider using a larger font size.

3. Use appropriate line spacing: Use enough space between lines to make the text easier to read. A line spacing of 1.5 or 2 is generally recommended.

4. Use appropriate letter spacing: Use enough space between letters to make the text easier to distinguish. Avoid using all capital letters, which can be difficult to read, especially in longer blocks of text.

5. Use appropriate contrast: Use a high contrast between the text and the background to make the text easier to read. Black text on a white or light-colored background is generally the easiest to read.

6. Consider using bold or italics: Use bold or italics to emphasize key points or headings, but use them sparingly to avoid making the text difficult to read.

7. Use left alignment: Use left alignment for your text, as it is easier to read than centered or right-aligned text.

By following these tips, you can improve the legibility of your text and make it easier for your readers to read and understand your message.

It’s important to have both

Both readability and legibility are important factors to consider in effective communication. Readability ensures that your content is easy to understand, while legibility ensures that your content is easy to physically read.

Without readability, your message may be difficult for your audience to comprehend, which can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Without legibility, your audience may struggle to read your message, which can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and a negative user experience.

Summary

In conclusion, readability and legibility are two important factors to consider when designing written materials. Readability refers to how easily a reader can understand the meaning of the text, while legibility refers to how easily a reader can read the individual characters or words. Both are important for effective written communication, and by considering both readability and legibility when designing your materials, you can ensure that they will be easy to understand and easy to read.