Typeface

A typeface is the design shared by a whole set of characters: letters, numbers, punctuation and symbols. Helvetica, Georgia and Courier are typefaces.

People often say "font" when they mean "typeface". A font is one specific version of a typeface, such as Helvetica Bold at 12 points. You will learn more about fonts later in this lesson.

The same words feel different in different typefaces. "Make it clear" set in a serif, a sans serif and a monospaced face reads as classic, modern and technical. Choosing a typeface is choosing a voice.