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Study: bolded text does not benefit reading speed
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PHOENIX – Contrary to popular belief, bolded text does not improve reading speed either in the fovea or the periphery, according to a presentation given here at Academy 2012.
The study included six observers with normal vision, 17 to 24 years old, according to Jasmine Junge. The observers read aloud short sentences presented on a computer monitor, one word at a time, using rapid serial visual presentation. Critical print size was determined first using standard boldness of Courier font. Reading speeds were then measured for text rendered at boldness and at 0.8 times and 1.4 times the critical print size.
At the fovea, although not changing significantly for the middle five levels of boldness, the reading speed dropped by 23% for the least bold text and the boldest text, Junge reported. At 10° eccentricity, reading speed did not significantly vary for all boldness less than standard (1.00), but dropped by 21% at 1.93 boldness and 50% at 2.93 boldness.
Also, excessive increase in the boldness of text can impair reading speed, according to the study.
Control experiments were performed to ensure results were not due to changes in print size, visibility or text when fonts became less or more bold.