How to Use Italics in Web Design
TL;DR:
- Use italics sparingly for emphasis, quotes, or to soften your tone
- Keep italicised text short – stick to single words or brief phrases
- Test how italic text looks across different devices before publishing
- Not all fonts handle italics well – check yours displays clearly
- Consider bold text or colour changes as alternatives if italics aren't working
Italics can highlight important parts of your text, mark quotations, or add a softer feel to your content. The trick is using them thoughtfully rather than as a default styling choice.
Why Use Italics?
Italics work well when you want to draw attention to specific words without the heavy emphasis of bold text. They're particularly useful for:
- Highlighting key terms or phrases
- Setting apart quotations or testimonials
- Adding a conversational tone to certain sections
- Indicating titles of books, films, or other works
The key is restraint. Think of italics as a gentle nudge rather than a shout.
Best Practices for Using Italics
Keep It Brief
Limit italics to single words, short phrases, or brief quotes. Long stretches of italicised text become hard to read, especially on mobile devices or lower-resolution screens. Your readers will thank you for keeping things scannable.
Test Across Devices
What looks crisp on your desktop monitor might appear blurry or too light on a phone screen. Always check how your italic text displays across different devices before your site goes live.
This is the bit most people miss – they perfect their design on one screen and forget to check how it performs elsewhere.
Choose Your Font Carefully
Not every typeface handles italics well in web environments. Some italic versions appear too light or lose clarity when displayed online.
If your chosen font's italics don't look sharp, try these alternatives:
- Bold text for stronger emphasis
- A different colour for subtle highlighting
- Underlines or borders for visual distinction
When Italics Don't Work
Some situations call for different approaches:
- Long passages: Use standard text with occasional bold words instead
- Mobile-heavy audiences: Consider that italic text can be harder to read on small screens
- Accessibility concerns: Screen readers handle italics fine, but visually impaired users might struggle with lighter text
Testing Your Italic Text
Before publishing, run through this quick checklist:
- View your site on desktop, tablet, and mobile
- Check the text in different lighting conditions if possible
- Ask someone else to read the italicised sections – do they strain to see it?
- Consider whether the emphasis adds value or just adds clutter
FAQs
How much italic text is too much?
If more than 10% of your text is italicised, you're probably overdoing it. Step back and see which bits really need emphasis.
Should I avoid italics on mobile sites?
Not necessarily, but be extra careful about legibility. Test thoroughly and consider whether bold text might work better.
Can I use italics for entire paragraphs?
You can, but it's rarely a good idea. Long italic passages become tiring to read and lose their impact.
Do italics affect SEO?
Not directly, but if they make your content harder to read, that could impact user engagement – which search engines do notice.
Jargon Buster
Italics: Text that slants to the right, used for emphasis or to indicate quoted material
Typography: The art of arranging text to make it both readable and visually appealing
Legibility: How easily readers can distinguish individual letters and words
Font weight: How thick or thin the strokes of letters appear (light, regular, bold, etc.)
Wrap-up
Italics are a useful tool when applied with restraint. They work best for brief emphasis rather than lengthy passages, and they need to enhance readability rather than hinder it.
Remember to test your italic text across different devices and consider your audience's needs. Sometimes a different approach entirely – like bold text or colour changes – will serve your design better.
The goal is always clear, accessible content that serves your readers well.
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