Typography
Tentative Guidelines
Cantarell
Cantarell is the user interface typeface for GNOME. It was originally designed and developed by David Crossland during his studies of typeface design at the University of Reading in 2009.
Variants, Sizes, & Weights
Different text weights and colours can be used to distinguish different kinds of information. However, too many variants, sizes, and weights can make text harder to read and isn't an efficient or elegant way to convey information. Effort should be made to minimize the range of font variants, sizes, and weights that are used.
- Strive for clarity and grace
- Avoid the use of italic and oblique faces
- Do not use graphical backdrops or "watermarks" behind text. These interfere with the contrast between the text and its background.
- Use:
- User interface body text: 11pt Regular
- User interface heading text: 11pt Bold
- Body text: 11pt Regular
Internationalization
Take Advantage of Unicode
See Initiatives/GnomeGoals/UnicodeUsage for more information and examples.
Usage
Incorrect
Correct
Unicode to use
C octal escaped UTF-8
Key sequence
Notes
Quotation
"quote"
"quote"
U+201C LEFT DOUBLE QUOTATION MARK, U+201D RIGHT DOUBLE QUOTATION MARK
342円200円234,円 342円200円235円
Level3 + V, Level3 + B, Compose + < + ", Compose + > + "
Whether to use single or double quotes is still under discussion.
Time
4:20
4∶20
U+2236 RATIO
342円210円266円
C-S-u 2 2 3 6
Multiplication
1024x768
×ばつ768
U+00D7 MULTIPLICATION SIGN
303円227円
Compose + X + X
Ellipsis
Introducing...
Introducing...
U+2026 HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS
342円200円246円
Compose + . + .
Apostrophe
The user's preferences
The user’s preferences
U+2019 RIGHT SINGLE QUOTATION MARK
342円200円231円
Level3 + Shift + B, Compose + ' + '
Bullet list
- One\n- Two\n- Three
• One\n • Two\n • Three
U+2022 BULLET
342円200円242円
Compose + . + =
Ranges
June-July 1967
June–July 1967
U+2013 EN DASH
342円200円223円
Compose + - + - + .
If the dash could be confused with subtraction, ‘to’ should be used instead.
Percentages
99%
99 %
U+2009 THIN SPACE
342円200円211円
C-S-u 2 0 0 9
Still under discussion:
Usage
Incorrect
Correct
Unicode to use
C octal escaped UTF-8
Key sequence
Notes
Conclusive em-dash
hyphens should not be used - they are too narrow
hyphens should not be used — they are too narrow
U+2014 EM DASH
342円200円224円
Compose + - + - + -
Should be used similarly to a colon — to mark an abrupt change or conclusion to a sentence.
Summary
- Use the recommended fonts
- Minimize the use of different sizes and weights
- Plan for internationalization
- Take advantage of Unicode