Studied by 7 people
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
