Sans Serif

Definition:

Type which does not have serifs — the little extra strokes found at the end of main vertical and horizontal strokes of some letterforms — are called sans serif (without serif).

Within sans serif there are five main classifications:

• Grotesque
• Neo-Grotesque
• Geometric
• Humanist
• Informal

Typefaces within each classification usually share similarities in stroke thickness, weight, and the shapes of certain letterforms. Although there were some sans serif typefaces in the 1800s, the 1920's Bauhaus design movement popularized the sans serif style.

Although it's impossible to make a blanket statement that applies to all uses of sans serif, some generalizations are that they are more ___________ compared to serif fonts:

• Modern
• Casual
• Crisp
• Bold
• Informal
• Friendly
• Readable

Finding the Right Fonts for body copy addresses some of the issues with serif and sans serif fonts.

Also Known As: Lineal(e) | Grotesque | Neo-Grotesque | Geometric | Humanist | Gothic (not Blackletter Gothic)