Accessibility
Readable type is the largest single lever on the accessibility of a page, and the type ramp only holds up if the smaller end of it is used for the right things. The rules below are size floors — meeting them is necessary, not sufficient; contrast, line length and reflow still apply.
Minimum font sizes
Section titled “Minimum font sizes”Reading text
Section titled “Reading text”Any text intended for continuous reading or primary content must not be smaller than:
- 14 px on Mobile
- 16 px on Desktop and Tablet
This includes paragraphs, descriptions, main UI instructions, and helper or explanatory text.
In practice, this means:
- Use Body 4 or larger on Desktop & Tablet
- Use Body 5 or larger on Mobile
Microcopy and auxiliary text
Section titled “Microcopy and auxiliary text”The system includes smaller sizes (down to 12 px) for specific, limited use cases. 12 px text is allowed only for non-interactive UI elements:
- Captions
- Legal disclaimers
- Image credits
- Metadata
- Supporting labels
- Non-critical secondary information
This text must:
- Not contain essential information required to complete a task
- Never be used for paragraphs or long reading blocks
- Always maintain WCAG contrast compliance
- Be used sparingly to avoid compromising general readability
Small text exists to support dense layouts where visual economy is necessary, but must not replace standard body text for meaningful content.