Web Typography

---
name: web-typography
description: 'Select, pair, and implement typefaces for web projects. Use when the user mentions "font pairing", "which typeface", "line height", "responsive typography", "web font loading", "type hierarchy", "variable fonts", "FOUT/FOIT", "typographic scale", or "the text is hard to read". Also trigger when choosing between system fonts and web fonts, optimizing font-loading performance, or designing readable long-form content. Covers readability evaluation, CSS implementation, and performance optimization. For overall UI design systems, see refactoring-ui. For dramatic typographic experiences, see top-design.'
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: wondelai
  version: "1.5.0"
---

# Web Typography

A practical guide to choosing, pairing, and implementing typefaces for the web. The best typography is invisible — it immerses readers in content rather than calling attention to itself.

## Core Principle

**Typography is the voice of your content.** The typeface you choose sets tone before a single word is read — a legal site shouldn't feel playful; a children's app shouldn't feel corporate. Follow the "clear goblet" principle: typography should be like a crystal-clear wine glass, keeping focus on the wine (content), not the glass (type).

## Scoring

**Goal: 10/10.** Score = number of the 10 Quick Diagnostic rows the implementation satisfies. Bands: **9-10** = body 16px+, measure under 75ch, line-height 1.4+, clear level contrast, font payload under 200KB, fallbacks set, survives 200% zoom; **5-6** = readable but missing measure control, fallbacks, or zoom resilience; **<=3** = sub-16px body, no measure cap, FOIT, or unreadable hierarchy. Always state the current score and the specific diagnostic rows failing.

## Two Contexts for Type

All typography falls into two categories:
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