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Font size linked to productivity, study finds
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A recent Optometry & Vision Science study demonstrated that productivity, accuracy and viewing distance increased as font size increased during computer tasks.
Glare, however, had little effect on the same computer tasks.
Ko and colleagues evaluated 27 participants; 19 participants were 18 to 35 years old and eight participants were 55 to 65 years old. The older participants wore progressive lenses for presbyopia, according to the study.
As detailed in the study, the participants performed computer tasks that use visual skills similar to those used in data entry, word processing or Internet usage. Participants were able to move their chair or change their posture but were unable to adjust the monitor. Researchers assessed the participants' productivity, accuracy and viewing distance with and without glare as well as with several font sizes.
Results showed that adding a reflective glare on a monitor had no effect on accuracy or productivity, but did reduce viewing distance. Accuracy, viewing distance and productivity all increased as font size on the monitors increased. Age did not play a role in any of the relationships.
"This study demonstrates that productivity is improved when using a large font size (3.6 mm) compared with smaller font sizes (1.8 mm or 2.2 mm) under natural viewing conditions for computer users performing visually demanding tasks," the authors concluded. "Surprisingly, there was a trend for this effect to be more pronounced in the younger than in the older group. Overall, for each 1-mm increase in font size, mean productivity improved by three correct clicks/min, accuracy improved by 2%, and perceived task difficulty was reduced by 8%.
“The presence of glare led subjects to lean forward and reduce their viewing distance,” the authors continued. “The larger font size of 3.6 mm was associated with a visual acuity reserve of 6.1 and a visual angle of font of 23.4 arcmin, which is just above the upper bound of ISO 9241-3 recommendations (e.g., 20 to 22 arcmin).”
The authors said these study findings may help when setting up work stations and computers monitors and when selecting font size.
"Users can easily check the font height on their monitor using the ‘rule of the 20 dollar bill’; the green serial number on a bill is about 3.5 mm in height,” the authors said.
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Optom Vis Sci. 2014; doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000000274.
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