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Ebook font and size?

by ErnieB
14 replies
Whats a recommended text size and font for use in ebooks? Just wondering what size/font is the general consensus for making the reading of your ebook easy and not a strain on the eyes.
#ebook #font #size
  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    The last time this came up, the consensus (if you can call it that, because there's never really a consensus on this topic) was that 13 point was the best size.

    As for which font, well, the serif vs. sans serif debate will never end.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
      IMO nothing smaller than 13. As for font try Arial, Verdana, or Tahoma (sp?) but really it's a decision based on your customers.

      Choose something that's easy on the eyes and you can't go wrong.

      Kevin
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    • Profile picture of the author ErnieB
      Thanks for the info. Hmmm my openoffice doesnt offer either of those serif fonts... any alternative?
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      • Profile picture of the author talewins
        Originally Posted by livelifeforsuccess View Post

        Thanks for the info. Hmmm my openoffice doesnt offer either of those serif fonts... any alternative?
        One solution to that problem is to copy everything from some DT that does have the font you want, then paste it into Open Office. Ctrl A, Ctrl C, Ctrl V. Let the new ball of text roll out onto the Open Office Plateau and rearrange it the way you want it to be.

        However, I can't remember Open Office ever NOT offering those fonts. My first 20 books were Verdana 13. Then I switched to Arial. At the present time I see 4 arial variations.

        I would check again.
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        • Profile picture of the author malfumos
          You must not exceed 14 in size for your ebook because it is recommended to use lower than 14 in size for text in ebook.
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          • Profile picture of the author talewins
            Originally Posted by malfumos View Post

            You must not exceed 14 in size for your ebook because it is recommended to use lower than 14 in size for text in ebook.
            Suggestions? Rules? To an artist or an author? The Marines fought on the shores of Tripoli so I could use the fonts, sizes AND colors that I want. Depending on where my copy was to be published I have used everything from 6 point to 18 point for the body.
            Kids and older folks need larger sizes. Who writes for kids? I do. Who writes for older folks? I do. The popularity of audio proves not all of us are happy with the standard sizes and colors.
            The Great Question here is, What Works For Me?? What has worked for you?
            I hope it wasn't someone else's Manifesto.
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        • Profile picture of the author ErnieB
          Originally Posted by talewins View Post

          One solution to that problem is to copy everything from some DT that does have the font you want, then paste it into Open Office. Ctrl A, Ctrl C, Ctrl V. Let the new ball of text roll out onto the Open Office Plateau and rearrange it the way you want it to be.

          However, I can't remember Open Office ever NOT offering those fonts. My first 20 books were Verdana 13. Then I switched to Arial. At the present time I see 4 arial variations.

          I would check again.
          It has arial and verdana and tahoma. It just doesnt have any serif or sans serif fonts available.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul1234
    For onscreen, I prefer san-serif. For printed, serif. You could provide both versions, one for onscreen, one for printing.

    Originally Posted by livelifeforsuccess View Post

    Thanks for the info. Hmmm my openoffice doesnt offer either of those serif fonts... any alternative?
    OpenOffice should come with Bitstream Vera (both serif and san-serif) also Thorndale (serif).

    There is a free extension (FontOOo) available for OpenOffice that allows installation of various font packs (including Arial and Verdana) to OpenOffice:

    OOoConv - FontOOo

    Tahoma isn't included within the FontOOo font packs but can be downloaded (for Windows) directly from Microsoft:

    http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...s/tahoma32.exe

    Hope this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author Taylor French
    Serif and sans serif are types of fonts, not actual fonts. Times new roman is a serif font. Arial is sans serif. Look up serif and sans serif to see some examples of the differences.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Hill
    I always use Verdana for the main body text (13 point) and 18 point Tahoma for chapter titles. Other than that I just tweak as necessary to make it look pretty.

    Mike Hill
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  • Profile picture of the author hotlinkz
    I generally use Times New Roman 14 to 18 point. Makes it easy for old geezers such as myself to read it without my pair of extra eyes.
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  • Profile picture of the author raeesa
    its up to you want font size u want
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    • Profile picture of the author Mary Laine
      Since most people who still have money to buy are older, I agree with the 14.
      Is it me, or have all the letters on the internet gotten smaller recently Some pages I come to I have to magnify right away. This getting old sucks, I guess
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  • Profile picture of the author djones
    Thanks for this. Trying to decide on the best font to use always stumps me. I know what works for me, but I also know it might not work for everyone else, so having a "standard" for what will probably work for most people would come in handy.
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