Readability refers to how easily a user may read and understand the content appearing on a site. It involves various aspects, which include font selection, spacing, contrasting, and overall composition, all coming together to facilitate ease of reading and consumption of content. The reading ability of your audience is also crucial to how well they are able to read your content.

Key elements of a readable website

To achieve a good readability score for your website, you need to consider the following:

• Font size and type – Select fonts that are easily readable on any device. These include fonts like Arial or Helvetica, which are sans-serif fonts, since they work best online because of their simplicity and minimalism.
• Line spacing – Proper line spacing between lines of text (leading) makes reading much more comfortable. Inadequate spacing causes the text to look congested, and too much spacing breaks the rhythm.
• Contrast – Ensure enough contrast between text and background color so that it can be read. Dark text on a light background is usually the optimal combination.
• Text length – Split long blocks of text into bite-sized paragraphs. The average sentence length also helps with readability. Readers will avoid long paragraphs, so write short sentences to make content digestible.
• Whitespace – Using whitespace appropriately keeps content from feeling cramped. It allows the design to breathe and allows young readers to focus on content without distraction.

Why readability matters

Making sure your site is readable impacts both search engine optimization (SEO) and the user experience. Users will spend more time on your site if they can quickly read and understand your copy. A well-organized site makes independent reading easy, allowing visitors to read and understand content with little effort. Readability is also something Google takes into account when considering site rankings, so readability enhancements can benefit search ranks and overall site performance.

Examples of readable websites

• Medium – The blogging platform Medium is known for being readable. Simple design, readable fonts, and ample whitespace make it easy to jump into articles immediately.
• The Guardian – Their website gets the balance of text and image and whitespace right and produces a clear and enjoyable reading experience on desktop as well as mobile.
• Dropbox – Dropbox's website uses readable fonts, sufficient contrast, and adequately spaced text so their product descriptions are simple to read.

How to test if your website is readable

If you're unsure whether your website is readable, this is how you can check:

• Test on different devices. Ensure that text is easy to read on desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones. You may need to make font sizes or spacing different based on screen size.
• Use readability tools. There are online tools such as the Hemingway Editor, Readable.com, or the Automated Readability Index, which can read your text and provide feedback based on readability formulas. They assist in calculating the reading level of your content and flag difficult words or unfamiliar words.
• Ask for feedback. Seek opinions from actual users to determine if they find your website readable and simple to navigate through.

FAQs about readability 

Why is readability important in web design?

An easily readable website offers a superior user experience, allowing visitors to absorb content with ease. It could also improve search engine optimization because search engines value visitor engagement.

How does readability affect SEO?

Excellent readability will lead to longer visitor interaction, decreasing bounce rates and improving rankings. More readable websites are more likely to be shared, which benefits SEO.

What are the most important factors that affect readability on a website?

The factors that determine readability are font size and type, line space, text contrast over background, and overall design of the site. The grade level of the content also matters.

How do I make my site more readable?

Aim for simple clean fonts, optimizing line spacing so that you have sufficient background vs. text contrast, minimal blocks of text, and plenty of white space to keep the site from becoming overwhelming.

How do I measure readability on my site?

Use a service like the Hemingway Editor, Readable.com, or Automated Readability Index to perform a readability analysis and see how readable your writing is.

Create a readable site with B12

B12’s AI-powered site builder ensures that your site not only looks amazing but is also optimized for readability. With user-friendly design tools and templates, you can create a site that engages users. Create a more readable website today!