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Read it, comment, and share it with your friendsThe Tiny Text Dilemma
There’s a big problem on the web, and it still hasn’t gone away. It’s the use of tiny text, often less than 10 pixels, on many web sites and in a lot of Flash content. I keep thinking that at least in the realm of standards based design we won’t see this problem, but everyday I come across new sites that have their default text size at something deplorably small. I often have to increase the text size in Firefox (which is at least easy by means of the keyboard shortcut) just to read these sites, if I even bother. Usually I just leave the site altogether.
What gets me the most is the argument among designers and developers… apparently many claim that since [we] spend so much time at the computer, we are accustomed to text as small as what usually shows up in most applications and tooltips. Sorry, but this just isn’t the case. The fact that I am in front of the computer all the time just means that I am more likely to lose my vision. It doesn’t mean that I have telescopic eyes. I would prefer if websites wouldn’t put the strain on my eyes with their tiny text, especially those designed by my peers. It’s easy to look at your own site and assume that the text size is fine, since you already know what all the text says. You read it from memory, not off the page. The rest of us are actually reading it for the first time, and struggling.
There are lots of examples of sites that are guilty of this crime, but I’ll just stick to one example, and a good one at that.
I’m convinced that Shaun Inman does have telescopic eyes. Maybe it’s the glasses he wears… I know sometimes they raise the telescopic capabilities on lenses to give the user a small advantage. The point is that Shaun Inman is well known for the tiny text of his site, and I might be the only person who finds it annoying.
What is really amusing is this item.
Maybe it’s a joke, but this is the “increase text size” option at Shaun’s website. Most designers add a Javascript or similar option like this to convince others that they have considered usability by providing the option… but this example really pokes fun at the whole idea. If you needed to increase the size at Shaun’s site, you probably wouldn’t even be able to read this text. You are probably squinting to read it right now. It says: “Having difficulty reading this site? Increase contrast and typesize, site-wide.” And if you do manage to find the form and use it, you’ll see the text increases by only the slightest amount. Bonus: insult to injury.
If and when I ever do use Shaun’s site, I always increase the text size twice… and to be honest, it still looks fine that way. At that setting, the text is the same size as on my own site, and only the images lack a decent readable size. But like I said, that’s if and when… I usually avoid Shaun’s site just because it isn’t worth the hassle.
I don’t think I’m being unreasonable here… most printed text is larger than web tiny text, and that’s in a format that is much easier to read than off a computer screen. Reading text off a screen is hard, especially with large blocks of text, and it gets worse when the screen is more than a foot away from the user’s eyes (such as in my setup).
So there’s some food for thought for any designers out there. The short version: tiny text sucks. Don’t use it.
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9 Comments
Responses to my articlePersonally, not overly have a problem with small text - then I do have glasses so maybe they are giving me an unfair advantage lol. I agree that the way he offers the text increase is not overly great. Funny thing is, I have never even noticed that option and have gone to that site a fair bit….. probably proving what you say about it being too small.
I even forgot to mention that I used to wear glasses, for about 3 years. Then my eyes got a little better and the doctor told me I wouldn’t have to wear them anymore… but if something stupid like websites with small text makes me have to wear glasses again, I’ll be really mad!
Some good points. I never really gave this issue much thought until I watched my dad attempting to read one of these “small text” sites. I watched him struggle and then throw up his hands and shout: “I can’t see!!”
Of course there has been tons of coments on the white text on black background issue. I laughed the other day while reading one designers’ comment: he stated that he refused to read those “death sites…”
Cheers,
Max
Maxwell: Really? I’ve never heard a complaint about light on dark. I’ve used various software as well as websites that provide light on dark as a more readable interface. Then again, I have heard to avoid #FFF on #000… I would say that #CCC on #333 is okay though. I’m still thinking about whether or not to change the colors here (a lighter background might be good), but I’m still working on some backend stuff so it will have to wait.
I have read about avoiding light text on black backgrounds on several occasions. I think some were even in web design books. You used to see more of this practice a few years ago I think. Most sources “suggest” that a dark gray text on white or near white is easiest to read. I think this makes sense for pages that have a lot of text. That been said the web is a medium where it is cool to not always follow the practice of the heard. Most rock band sites have black backgrounds(its the LAW!) I think some sites that do not have a lot of text look good with a dark background if designed well. I am a photographer and think that online photos look good against a black background, especially if the pictures have bold color: something about the strong contrast that helps the images pop out at you…
Wow, that gives me a lot to think about… I guess when I get around to user testing this site, the first thing I’ll ask about is the colors, since I especially don’t want people to avoid my site because of the color scheme.
As for what you said about photos, you might like my photoblog then! You can visit it by clicking on any of the photos in the “Photo Feed.” Let me know what you think
Just for grins I “googled” the words “white text on black…”
The first page listed is this:
http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum36/1655.htm
Interesting reading…
Wow, I guess I’ll be changing this soon… not sure whether I’ll do #ccc on #666 or #333 on #ccc though…
Shaun’s site isn’t very user friendly as far as I can tell. I agree that the message is crazy.
font-size:12px; for me!
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