Type Anatomy

ascender height

upward part of a letterform (often a vertical stroke) that extends above the x-height and usually above the cap height

Cap height

the height of a typeface's uppercase letters

x-height

the height of the lowercase x measured from the baseline

baseline

an imaginary invisible line upon which letters appear to sit

descender height

a downward vertical stroke that extends below the baseline

Apex

The uppermost connecting point of a letterform where two strokes meet

serif

a decorative stroke that finishes off the end of a letters stem

(“feet” of the letters)

bowl

The stroke that creates such a space that holds the counter

finial

The tapered portion of the end of the stroke of a letter

counter

empty space within a letter that is generally completely closed off

bar

horizontal straight line that’s

open-counter

The open space in a fully or partly closed area within a letter

stem

The main (usually vertical) stroke of a letterform

link/neck

The thin line that connects the upper and lower bowls of a lowercase g

loop

In a double-story 'g', the loop is the enclosed or partially enclosed counter below the baseline that is connected to the bowl by a link.

ear

The small stroke that extends outwards from a lowercase letter

shoulder

The curved stroke aiming downward from a stem

\
(it’s like it’s bringing 2 stems together)

tail

*Descending stroke that is often decorative*

terminal

the ending of the stroke

bracket

a curved or wedge-like connection between the stem and serif of some fonts

axis

the direction of the stroke in a letterform

crossbar

The (usually) horizontal stroke across the middle of the uppercase 'A' and 'H'

tittle/dot

The small distinguishing mark you see over a lowercase i and a lowercase j

eye

the closed counter of a lowercase e

spine

single structure everything is built 

* STRONGEST biggest part of structure 

stress

In a curved letter, the place where the thickening of curved strokes starts.

basic structural elements in type

• Vertical

• Slanted

• Horizontal

• Oval