Whereas we usually talk about letters in our articles, numbers in typography sometimes obtain much less consideration. Nevertheless, this matter is fascinating and extra advanced than it may seem at first look. That’s why we’ve devoted this text fully to numerals!
In this text, you’ll find out about various kinds of numerals, their functions, the distinctive traits of every fashion, and the place to discover them in fonts.
Why are there various kinds of numerals?
Numerals are symbols used to symbolize particular numbers (numerical values). Right this moment, Arabic numerals—symbols from 1 to 9—are used nearly worldwide. The primary Western references to these numerals will be present in the Codex Vigilanus from 976 CE. In the Cyrillic custom, Arabic numerals have been launched by Peter the Nice in 1699.
Roman numerals are nonetheless in use as we speak, notably for denoting centuries, millennia, and in e book tables of contents.
The commonest kind as we speak is lining numerals (also referred to as lining figures, majuscule numerals, or titling figures). Let’s discover these and different varieties of numerals in element.
Lining (majuscule) numerals
Lining (majuscule) proportionate numerals are numerals with out ascenders or descenders, designed to match the peak of uppercase letters. Their sidebearings comply with the identical logic as different characters in the typeface, which means the width of every numeral varies. For instance, the determine “1” takes up much less house than “9” in the textual content.
Lining numerals are the default alternative when there’s no particular cause to use different varieties of numerals, and so they’re sometimes the usual set included in fonts.
Oldstyle (minuscule) numerals
Oldstyle (minuscule) numerals, also referred to as outdated fashion figures or textual content figures (lowercase), first appeared in European manuscripts in the thirteenth century. In typography, they have been launched in 1788 when British punchcutter Richard Austin created a set of numerals three-quarters the peak of capitals for John Bell’s foundry.
Oldstyle numerals function ascenders and descenders, designed to match the peak of lowercase letters or barely taller. They’re particularly designed to be used inside physique textual content, which is why they’re generally referred to as textual content figures. Not like lining numerals, oldstyle numerals mix harmoniously with the textual content, with every numeral successfully functioning like a letter in the road.
Sometimes, numerals 6 and eight have ascenders, whereas 3, 4, 5, and 9 have descenders. Nevertheless, various designs exist with totally different preparations of ascenders and descenders, notably for 3 and 5.
Curiously, whereas oldstyle numerals have been historically related to serif typefaces, they’re now extensively out there in sans serif designs as properly.
These numerals are often included as an extra set in fonts and will be accessed via the OpenType Oldstyle Figures function.
Tabular figures
If you’re conversant in monospaced fonts, you’ll rapidly perceive tabular figures. If not, we advocate checking our Font Dictionary or studying our devoted article on this matter.
Tabular figures (additionally referred to as monospaced figures or tabular numerals) are the alternative of proportionate figures. Every numeral occupies the identical quantity of house—the determine “1” takes up precisely as a lot width as “9.” Tabular figures can be found in each lining and oldstyle types.
Tabular figures will be lining and outdated fashion. Their major objective is to align vertically, making them supreme to be used in tables and monetary paperwork.
The design of these numerals might both match or differ from their proportional counterparts, relying on the typeface’s idea and the necessity to match characters throughout the fastened width.
Numerators and Denominators
Numerators and denominators are smaller types of lining numerals utilized in the higher and decrease parts of fractions:
- Numerators seem in the higher portion of fractions
- Denominators seem in the decrease portion of fractions
Superiors and Inferiors
Superior figures are smaller types of lining numerals positioned in the higher portion of the road. They’re used for footnotes, mathematical expressions, ionic costs, and so on.
Inferior figures are smaller types of lining numerals positioned in the decrease portion of the road. They’re generally utilized in formulation, mathematical expressions, and chemical compound notations.
Circled figures or Detrimental circled figures
Font recordsdata usually embrace circled figures in two kinds: crammed and description circles.
These serve ornamental functions, comparable to numbered lists or design components, and are sometimes accessed via stylistic units.
The right way to Discover Completely different Sorts of Numerals in Fonts
All these numerical variations will be accessed via OpenType options, offered they’re included in the particular font file. For detailed data on learn how to discover these numeral kinds in totally different software program functions, as properly as learn how to decide which options can be found in a font beforehand, take a look at our in-depth article on the subject.
Conclusion
As you may see, font recordsdata comprise many attention-grabbing options past simply letters! Discover all the chances of working with fonts, and comply with our weblog for normal updates on typography, fonts, and kind design.
