Thread

Thank you I.G.
This is very interesting…em(elastic) vs. %(flexible)...I have always viewed things thought % when in need to for ‘scaling’.  I suppose I just used the same concept of taboo when mixing languages…never knew that ‘mixing size units is ok’
Thanks again!

Seems that I see a lot more sites going back to pixels when specifying font size in their designs. Just curious as to what everyone uses?

I’m sure you use some analytic/tracking program/script?
Why don’t you see what the majority of your visitors monitor size is?

For instance, GAnalytic says 35% of my traffic use 1680x1050.
Large monitors make screen fonts look smaller. You surely don’t want to use 10-12px for a 1680x1050 resolution.

That’s why EM is the preferred method.

For instance, GAnalytic says 35% of my traffic use 1680x1050.
Large monitors make screen fonts look smaller. You surely don’t want to use 10-12px for a 1680x1050 resolution.
That’s why EM is the preferred method.

For some, certainly not for all.

Both methods have pro and con, depending on a variety of factors, including screen resolution capability, fonts used, browsers, platforms. There are just too many variables. That’s why there are so few hard and fast rules to web page layout and design. On recent sites I’ve been sticking with pixels for all elements (they’re usually large enough that they don’t really need to be increased in size) except entry text. Even then it’s a toss up. Some with pixels, some with em, though I’ve also been adding a text resize option.

I’ve always thought that if you are using a fluid layout, use EM for fonts.
If you are using a fix-width layout, use PX.

Anyone do otherwise?

I’ve always thought that if you are using a fluid layout, use EM for fonts.
If you are using a fix-width layout, use PX.

Anyone do otherwise?

Therein is the problem—no hard and fast rules. Whatever works, works.

FWIW Department: I’ve been moving completely away from fluid layouts to fixed-width layouts. After all, the client wants the site to conform to a certain design/look/feel (like a magazine or a brochure) so giving the reader options to modify the site’s layout at will is somewhat akin to a solution looking for a problem. Mostly.

Seems that I see a lot more sites going back to pixels when specifying font size in their designs. Just curious as to what everyone uses?

I’m sure you use some analytic/tracking program/script?
Why don’t you see what the majority of your visitors monitor size is?

For instance, GAnalytic says 35% of my traffic use 1680x1050.
Large monitors make screen fonts look smaller. You surely don’t want to use 10-12px for a 1680x1050 resolution.

That’s why EM is the preferred method.

I use percents right now for my font sizes after declaring a “small” font size in the body. I’ve just seen more and more sites using pixels, so I posed the question. 😉