Minimum x-height values for the three types of text in DIN 1450, reading text, consultation text and signalling text, are expressed through the visual angle in the unit of arc minutes. The visual angle is the angle at which a viewed object is perceived. DIN 1450 bases its recommendations for x-heights that function independent of the viewer’s distance on the visual angle. The shorter a viewer’s distance from a text is, the smaller its font can be and vice-versa. Font size (here x-height) is generally set depending on the viewer’s distance from it. The calculation of font size as prescribed in DIN 1450 is based on x-heights.
The standard font sizes recommended in DIN 1450 are sufficient for all other applications. Using these factors, font size can be multiplied for texts that are specially designed for readers with visual impairments. Factors ranging from 1.4 (visual acuity ≥ 0.5) up to a maximum of 1.75 (visual acuity ≥ 0.4) have been shown to be practicable. Font size cannot however be enlarged arbitrarily because of the limits set by the reader’s field of vision, column widths, formats and technical reading aids. Font sizes can be multiplied by a factor appropriate for the visual acuity of people whose vision is less sharp to provide them with an adequate font size. The recommendations on font sizes in DIN 1450 are based on normally sharp vision of at least 70 % (visual acuity ≥ 0.7). Depending on the relevance of compliance with specific standards, further examination based on all the criteria of DIN 1450 and possibly on other standards may be necessary.Ī summary of information on this topic can be found in the chapter on font sizes (in German) and more detailed information is available in DIN 1450 (in German). The Font Size Calculator is designed to make it easier to identify inclusive font sizes in compliance with the German DIN 1450 standard on legibility.
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