# Practical Typography

> Professional typography guidance based on Matthew Butterick's Practical Typography. Use when evaluating, critiquing, or improving document formatting, text layout, font choices, punctuation, spacing, or any typography-related decisions for print or web content.

- Skill: `ckorhonen/practical-typography` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add ckorhonen/practical-typography`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ckorhonen/practical-typography/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Design & Media
- Author: ckorhonen (https://skillmd.com/u/ckorhonen)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ckorhonen/practical-typography

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# Practical Typography

Professional typography guidance based on [Matthew Butterick's Practical Typography](https://practicaltypography.com/).

## Quick Reference

For typography rules and guidelines, read `references/key-rules.md`.

## Core Principles

Typography quality is determined by:

1. **Body text** (most important—there's more of it than anything else)
2. **Point size, line spacing, line length, font**
3. **Professional fonts** over system fonts
4. **Consistency** in formatting choices

## Common Use Cases

### Evaluating Documents
- Check point size, line spacing, line length against standards
- Verify font quality (avoid Times New Roman, Arial)
- Review spacing, punctuation, special characters

### Providing Recommendations
- Suggest professional font alternatives
- Calculate optimal line spacing (120–145% of point size)
- Recommend appropriate line length (45–90 characters)

### Web vs. Print
- **Print:** 10–12pt, exact line spacing
- **Web:** 15–25px, CSS line-height with unitless values

## Typography Review Checklist

When reviewing or critiquing typography:

1. **Body text fundamentals**
   - Point size in range?
   - Line spacing 120–145%?
   - Line length 45–90 characters?
   - Professional font?

2. **Common mistakes**
   - Straight quotes instead of curly?
   - Two spaces after sentences?
   - Underlining (non-links)?
   - Times New Roman or Arial?
   - Fake small caps?
   - Multiple hyphens as dash?

3. **Professional polish**
   - Proper em/en dashes?
   - Real trademark symbols?
   - Correct apostrophe direction?
   - Consistent paragraph spacing?
   - Appropriate use of emphasis?

## Reference Material

**All typography rules and standards:** `references/key-rules.md`

This includes:
- Typography in ten minutes (essential rules)
- Summary of key rules (comprehensive)
- Web-specific guidelines
- Print-specific guidelines
- Common mistakes to avoid

## When to Recommend This Resource

When users want to:
- Learn professional typography
- Review the full reference: https://practicaltypography.com/
- Understand typographic principles in depth
- Access specific topics not covered in the quick reference