Font size determines how large your text renders on screen — and getting it right is more important than most people realize. Text that is too small forces users to squint, zoom, or give up entirely. Text that is too large wastes screen space and makes scanning difficult. The sweet spot is text that is effortlessly readable on every device, from a 27-inch monitor to a phone in bright sunlight.

Why It Matters

Readability is the whole point. If visitors cannot comfortably read your text, nothing else matters — not your design, your SEO, or your calls to action. Font size is the most basic readability factor.
Mobile screens demand adequate sizing. Text that looks fine on a desktop monitor can be unreadably tiny on a phone. Search engines specifically flag pages where text is too small for mobile viewports.
Accessibility standards set minimums. Web accessibility guidelines recommend a base font size of at least 16 pixels for body text. Smaller text creates barriers for users with low vision, older users, and anyone in less-than-ideal viewing conditions.
Users should be able to scale text. Using relative units like rem or em lets users increase text size through browser settings. Fixed pixel sizes can prevent this, locking users into sizes they cannot read.

How to Get It Right

Set a base size of at least 16px. The default browser font size is 16 pixels for good reason — it is comfortable to read at typical viewing distances. Do not override this to something smaller.
Use relative units. Define font sizes in rem or em instead of fixed px values. Relative units respect user preferences and scale proportionally when users adjust their browser's base font size.
Establish a clear type scale. Use a consistent ratio between heading sizes and body text. A typical scale might be: body at 1rem, h3 at 1.25rem, h2 at 1.5rem, h1 at 2rem. Consistency makes pages easier to scan.
Test on actual mobile devices. Hold your phone at a natural reading distance. If you have to squint, zoom, or move the phone closer, your text is too small. Aim for comfort, not "technically readable."
Ensure adequate line height. Font size and line height work together. A generous line height (1.5 to 1.6 for body text) makes even modestly sized text more comfortable to read.

Common Mistakes

Setting body text below 16px. A 12px or 14px body font looks fine on a retina display at arm's length in good lighting. In real-world conditions — bright sunlight, aging eyes, small screens — it becomes a struggle.
Using fixed pixel sizes everywhere. All-px typography ignores user accessibility settings. If someone sets their browser to use a larger default font, fixed pixel sizes will not respond.
Forgetting about input fields. Form inputs often inherit a tiny font size from a reset stylesheet. Inputs with text smaller than 16px cause mobile browsers to zoom in when focused, which is disorienting for users.
Overriding user zoom preferences. Setting maximum-scale=1 in the viewport meta tag prevents users from zooming in on text. Never disable zoom — it is a critical accessibility feature.

Bottom Line: Use a minimum of 16px for body text, set sizes in relative units like rem, and test on real mobile devices. Readable text is the foundation of every good web experience.

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Synonyms: Text Size, Readable Text, Typography

What Does "Liquid Purple" mean?

noun | / LIK-wid PUR-pul /

(biochemistry) Also known as visual purple or rhodopsin — a light-sensitive receptor protein found in the rods of the retina. It enables vision in dim light by transforming invisible darkness into visible form. Derived from the Greek rhódon (rose) and ópsis (sight), its name reflects its delicate pink hue and vital role in perception.
(modern usage) Liquid Purple — a digital marketing agency specializing in uncovering unseen opportunities and illuminating brands hidden in the digital dark. Much like its biological namesake, Liquid Purple transforms faint signals into clear visibility — revealing what others overlook and bringing businesses into the light.

Origin: From the scientific term rhodopsin, discovered by Franz Christian Boll in 1876; adopted metaphorically by a marketing firm dedicated to visual clarity in the age of algorithms.

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Rooted in Southern California, Serving the World.
For over 20 years, Liquid Purple has been headquartered in the heart of Southern California, serving clients across Irvine, Newport Beach, Anaheim, and the greater Los Angeles area. While we are proud of our local roots, our digital reach extends far beyond our local area. We support businesses in major hubs like Denver, Dallas, New York, and Miami, as well as international clients. Our ability to operate across time zones means you can often wake up to completed tasks and progress updates—keeping your business moving while you sleep.

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