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Indices :Terminology : x-height

Succinctly put, the x-height is the height of thelowercase x in a given alphabet.

The x-height is measured as a proportion of the totalcap height. A typeface is said to have a large x-height when the lowercase x is relatively tall compared to the capital X. A typeface is said to have a small x-height when the lowercase x is relatively short compared to the capital X.

Many regard the relative x-height of a given typeface as a factor in readability, believing that a larger x-height better accentuates the distinguishing characteristics of the lowercase letters simply because the main body of the letters are larger. For this reason it is a commonly held notion that smaller x-heights are better reserved fordisplay type where an enlarged size compensates for diminished readability. On the other hand, because reading is quite heavily dependent on the overall shape of the word, especially the top “edge”, if x-height is very big the contrast between ascenders and the body of letters tends to be reduced, and this may make type hard to read. (Just as lines set in all capitals are generally regarded as difficult for extended reading.)

Sincepoint sizes vary widely from font to font, a comparison of two fonts’ x-heights can only be made when the cap heights are equal.

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