Anatomy of Typography

cap height

the height of a typeface’s flat capital letters (like H or I) measured from the baseline to the top

x-height

distance between baseline and midline (height of letter “x”)

Baseline

line upon which most letters sit

Crossbar

stroke that connects two stems or strokes within a letterform

Apex

Point on sharp capitals

Stroke

Thicks and thins of the letters/body

Serif

“feet” at the ends of characters

Counter

negative space in letters

Terminal

where the stroke of any letter ends

Initial (small) caps

uppercase letterforms designed at the same height as lowercase text

Arms

Parts of a letter only connected on one side

Ascender

Portion of lowercase letter above the x-height

Stem

Any straight portion of a letter

Bowl

Round section attached to a stem

Descender

Any portion of lowercase letters that go below the baseline

Shoulder

Round portion of a letter that transitions to a stem/straight portion

ear

a small, decorative stroke extending from the top-right side of the upper bowl of a lowercase double-storey ‘g’

Loop

Type of descender specific to lower case ‘g’

Link

the small, often curved stroke that connects the top bowl and the bottom loop of a double-storey lowercase 'g'

Type is measured from the top of the cap height to the bottom of the lowest descender.

How is type measured?

the more legible the text at smaller sizes

The bigger the y-height…

fits exactly within both the x-height and baseline

X is the only letter that…

Keep sizing consistent

Rounded portions drop below the baseline to….