Regardless of the ever-advancing technology at our fingertips, we still rely on these 26 letters of the English alphabet (see image). Each character is unique—it has its own sound, its own shape, its own characteristics, and its own rules for use. Understanding these characters individually is essential to mastering typography.
Serif and Sans Serif are the two most basic types of letterforms, and most fonts fall into these two main categories. Let’s start by looking at the difference between these two categories. This is the beginning of what we call type classification.
Serif and Sans Serif: The Basics 

Serif and Sans Serif are the two most basic types of letterforms, and most fonts fall into these two main categories. Let’s start by looking at the difference between these two categories. This is the beginning of what we call type classification.



What Are Serifs?

Serifs are the small extensions or "feet" at the ends of a letter's main parts. Based on the presence or absence of serifs, typefaces are classified into two primary groups:

  • Serif typefaces (which have serifs)
  • Sans serif typefaces (which do not have serifs) (see Video)
Serifs are the small extensions or "feet" at the ends of a letter's main parts. Based on the presence or absence of serifs, typefaces are classified into two primary groups: serif typefaces (which have serifs) and sans serif typefaces (which do not have serifs).Now, let’s look at sans serif. The word "sans" comes from French, meaning "without," so "sans serif" means "without serifs." That means sans serif typefaces do not have extensions. Just as there are numerous styles of serifs, there are also numerous styles of sans serifs. Here are some well-known sans-serif typefaces. Look closely. You can see that the typefaces have distinct differences from each other, but they all have one thing in common: they have no serifs.


Here is a group of serif fonts (see image). They all look different, but they all have serifs. 
  • Serifs can change in angle, thickness, width, and shape.
For example, here are five different lowercase 'b's from different serif fonts. Notice the differences:

Serifs are the small extensions or "feet" at the ends of a letter's main parts. Based on the presence or absence of serifs, typefaces are classified into two primary groups: serif typefaces (which have serifs) and sans serif typefaces (which do not have serifs). Here is a group of serif fonts. They all look different, but they all have serifs. Serifs can change in angle, thickness, width, and shape. For example, here are five different lowercase 'b's from different serif fonts. Notice the differences. As a good type detective, you can see that the angles of the serifs are quite different. Now look at the bottom parts (footers). You’ll see they vary in thickness, width, and shape too. Despite these differences, the common feature is that they all have serifs sticking out from the main part of the letter.Serifs are present in both uppercase and lowercase letters.

As a good type detective, you can see

  • The angles of the serifs are quite different.
  • Now look at the bottom parts (footers). You’ll see they vary in thickness, width, and shape too.

Despite these differences, the common feature is that they all have serifs sticking out from the main part of the letter. Serifs are present in both uppercase and lowercase letters (see image). The bottom serifs of letters are also known as footers. More details will be discussed in the type classification chapter, Insha'Allah.



What Are Sans Serifs?

The word "sans" comes from French, meaning "without," so "sans serif" means "without serifs." That means sans serif typefaces do not have extensions. 

Just as there are numerous styles of serifs, there are also numerous styles of sans serifs. Here is a sans-serif typeface.

The word "sans" comes from French, meaning "without," so "sans serif" means "without serifs." That means sans serif typefaces do not have extensions. Just as there are numerous styles of serifs, there are also numerous styles of sans serifs. Here are some well-known sans-serif typefaces. Look closely. You can see that the typefaces have distinct differences from each other, but they all have one thing in common: they have no serifs.

Look closely:

  • the typefaces have distinct differences from each other, but they all have one thing in common: they have no serifs.



This short overview of serif and sans serif typefaces is the start of our journey into type classification. We’ll go deeper into type classification later in this course. As we go deeper, you will find hundreds of typefaces in each category. 

Learning to identify the key features of basic typestyles will help you choose the right typeface for your projects.