Letterform
Updated: 12/05/2021 by Computer Hope
The term letterform is used in typography to describe the strokes that make the shape of any letter, number, or other character in an alphanumeric set. Letterforms are stored in groups called typefaces, which are further grouped into fonts. For example, Comic Sans is a typeface that includes the fonts Comic Sans Bold and Comic Sans Italics.
Every letterform in a font is designed by a type designer to work cohesively with the others. Factors like height, rotation, line thickness, serifs, and contrast are all considered in the design of a letterform.
What strokes make up letterforms?
There are many terms for the various types of lines and curves that make up the "anatomy" of any letterform. Below are definitions for these terms.
- Ascender - A vertical line extending above other lowercase letters (b, d, h).
- Descender - A vertical line extending below other lowercase letters (p, q).
- Apex - The top of a pointed letterform (A).
- Vertex - The bottom of a pointed letterform (V, v).
- Stem - A strong vertical stroke (I, l).
- Arm - Any horizontal or high diagonal appendage protruding from a letter (t).
- Leg - A low diagonal appendage protruding from a letter (k).
- Crossbar - A horizontal line connecting two vertical strokes (A, H).
- Bowl - A rounded part of a letterform (o, p).
- Serif - A perpendicular line at the end of a stroke.
- Terminal - When a stroke ends without a serif.
- Finial - A type of terminal that tapers out to finish the stroke.