CSS basics · Lesson 4 of 12 · 10 minutes

CSS basics: Readable typography

Font size, line height, and line length work together. Line height without a unit scales with the text.

Open the lab Course map

Mastery 0/3Run itExplain itApply it

Current edit

PreviewNo external resources

Your objectives

Hints are always available. Wrong turns never cost XP.

1
Build readable typography
Build this first target: p with font-size: 1rem. Keep the selector relationships intact and inspect the preview.
Hint & worked example
Font size, line height, and line length work together. Line height without a unit scales with the text.
The requested selectors and declarations exist outside comments.
```
p { font-size: 1rem; }
```
Common mistake to avoid: If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.
2
Extend the readable typography example
Extend your file to include: p with font-size: 1rem; p with line-height: 1.6. Keep the selector relationships intact and inspect the preview.
Hint & worked example
Font size, line height, and line length work together. Line height without a unit scales with the text.
The requested selectors and declarations exist outside comments.
```
p { font-size: 1rem; }
p { line-height: 1.6; }
```
Common mistake to avoid: Hiding all overflow always makes content accessible.
3
Verify the complete readable typography pattern
Finish the pattern with: p with font-size: 1rem; p with line-height: 1.6; p with max-width: 65ch. Keep the selector relationships intact and inspect the preview.
Hint & worked example
Font size, line height, and line length work together. Line height without a unit scales with the text.
The requested selectors and declarations exist outside comments.
```
p { font-size: 1rem; }
p { line-height: 1.6; }
p { max-width: 65ch; }
```
Common mistake to avoid: If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.

Understand the pattern

Font size, line height, and line length work together. Line height without a unit scales with the text.

Misconceptions to reject

If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.
Hiding all overflow always makes content accessible.

The preview is a sanitized subset, not a full browser compatibility test.

Worked example and expected result

p { font-size: 1rem; }
p { line-height: 1.6; }
p { max-width: 65ch; }

Font size, line height, and line length work together. Line height without a unit scales with the text.

Try a variation

Adapt the final example to a different project name while retaining its structure and relationships. A different context still needs a real browser and accessibility check.

Explain it

Which statement correctly explains readable typography?Hiding all overflow always makes content accessible.Font size, line height, and line length work together. Line height without a unit scales with the text.If the page fits one desktop viewport, no narrower viewport needs checking.

Apply it elsewhere

You reuse readable typography in a different project. What must still be verified?The resulting layout, focus behavior, and readability at the target viewport sizes.Nothing; passing a single exercise guarantees every future use.Only whether the source code has the same number of lines.

Keep the momentum.

Complete the lab, then explain and apply the pattern.

Next: CSS basics: Spacing with padding Try an incident drill

Anonymous lesson and mastery progress lasts for this session. Sign in to keep synced lesson XP between sessions; mastery stays device-local. No speed bonus, lost lives, or hint penalties.

Keep learning

MDN: CSS styling