Table of Contents
Why Sans-Serif?
WIRIS editor has adopted sans-serif typesetting as default option for rendering formulas, because it's better for screens.
What's the difference?
Let’s compare a formula with a serif font vs sans-serif font:
| Serif typesetting (Times New Roman) | Sans-serif typesetting (Arial) |
|---|---|
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If we zoom into the characters, we will see the difference between serif and sans-serif font typesetting which are mainly the red pixels:
| Serif typesetting (Times New Roman) | Sans-serif typesetting (Arial) |
|---|---|
 |  |
Serif typefaces have more small details. For instance, they usually have different width in different parts of a letter. Compare the line-widths of the horizontal and oblique lines of the serif A.
So, why is sans-serif better?
- Most web sites are sans-serif based. In fact, it has become the de facto standard. Sans-serif is a better default, in order for the formulas to follow the surrounding text style.
- Screens, up to now, have less definition than printed paper; compare 96dpi vs 300dpi. Sans-serif has no small details to preserve.
- If there is no serif then characters take less space. In other words: given a fixed external size, a formula in sans-serif has bigger characters than the same formula in serif.
- Sans-serif looks more modern and stylish. Students like it better. (Well, that's our opinion. ;-P)
Examples
| W3C sample | WIRIS editor |
|---|---|
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