Resources Labels & large format Free tool
Signage letter height vs viewing distance
Viewing distance and sign type → headline and body letter heights, maximum readable distance and the rules for road-side signs and backwalls.
Signage letter height vs viewing distance
Viewing distance (ft)
Sign type
Target
Headline letter height
5"
Readable to ≈ 150 ft max
Body / secondary text
3"
Names, dates, URLs
Rule
1" per 10 ft
High contrast beats size: dark on light
Industry guide: 1" of cap height per 10 ft for comfortable reading, per 30 ft as the absolute limit. Bold sans-serifs read ~20% farther than serifs; all-caps reads worse than mixed case for sentences.
Designers & agencies: put this calculator on your own site — free, always up to date.
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