How tall should the letters be?
Type how far away people will read your sign and get a letter height to give the sign painter. It uses a common rule of thumb, and says plainly where that rule stops.
The tool
How to use the number.
Measure honestly
Use the distance from where people first see the sign, not from the pavement in front of it.
Round up
Signs are read in motion, in glare and in dust. Where there is doubt, go a size larger.
Mind the contrast
Tall letters in low contrast still fail. Check the colours with the colour contrast checker.
Check local rules
Some local bodies set rules for signage size and placement. Confirm them before you print.
About this tool.
Something we haven’t covered? Ask us.
What rule does this use?
A common rule of thumb: about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of capital-letter height for every 10 feet (3 m) of viewing distance for comfortable reading, and about 1 inch for every 25 feet (7.6 m) as the smallest that still reads in good light.
Is this an official standard?
No. It is guidance. Sources differ, and the right height also depends on lighting, the typeface, the contrast of colours and whether people are moving. Some local bodies also set their own signage rules, so check them before you print.
Which distance should I measure?
The distance from where most people first see the sign to the sign itself, for example from the far kerb or the point where a car approaches. Measure along the line of sight.
Does the typeface matter?
Yes. A heavy, open typeface is easier to read from far away than a thin or condensed one. Use capitals sparingly for long names, and leave generous space between letters.
Need a hand?
Planning a shopfront or a rebrand? We can design the sign as part of the identity, so it reads from across the road.
Start a projectWe reply within four working hours, from a person.