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How to Create Responsive Font in CSS

Responsiveness is an essential factor in web applications. Developers make designs, images, and divs responsive on web pages; however, there are only a few who think about making fonts responsiveness. Because when the page is switched from one device to another, such as from desktop to mobile, it may disturb the font readability. To make fonts visible, the factor of responsiveness must be added.

This write-up will explain how to create responsive fonts using CSS.

How to Create Responsive Font in CSS?

To create a responsive font in CSS, we will utilize the following methods:

    • Viewport Units
    • Media Queries
    • clamp() function

Let’s move ahead and explore each method individually!

Method 1: Using Viewport Units to Create Responsive Fonts in CSS

A browser’s page visible area is known as a viewport. In CSS, some units are related to it, shortly known as “viewport units”. These units are useful in making things responsive and improving visibility with respect to a viewer.

Here are four viewport units described below:

Values Description
vw vw represents viewport width. It makes elements responsive in width-wise manners regarding a page. 1% of the page is equivalent to 1vw.
vh vh represents viewport height. It makes elements responsive in height-wise manners regarding a page. 1% of the page is equivalent to 1vh.
vmin vmin represents the viewport minimum. It is used to specify the minimum height or width of the viewport with respect to an element.
vmax vmax represents viewport maximum. It is used to specify the maximum height or width of the viewport with respect to an element.

Let’s take an example to acknowledge the working of the viewport unit.

Example

In our HTML file, write some text within the “<p>” tag and place it with <body> tags.

HTML

<p>Linux Hint</p>

 
In the CSS file, specify the “font-size” property with the value “2.5vw”. This will make the font responsive with respect to the page width.

CSS

p {
    font-size: 2.5vw;
}

 
Save your code and test it in your browser:

Method 2: Using Media Queries to Create Responsive Fonts in CSS

In CSS, “media queries” help to apply different styling conditions on specific elements. It is a rule-set that can only be applied if the defined condition is true. In development, media queries are often used to make elements or designs responsive with respect to media devices/types. When the font-size property is placed within the @media rule-set, it achieves the desired results.

Example

Set the page minimum width as “799px” using “@media” and add the <p> element inside this rule-set. This indicates that the defined rule will only be applied if the page width is equal to or greater than 799px. Now, specify the “font-size” property as “20px”. This will make the font bigger than its normal size.

CSS

@media (min-width: 799px) {
  p {
    font-size: 20px;
  }
}

 
Output

Method 3: Using clamp() to Create Responsive Fonts in CSS

The “clamp()” function is utilized to specify a fixed minimum and maximum value. In other words, it is commonly defined as an initial and ending range for a specific value. The clamp() function provides great control over the elements related to their responsiveness.

Example

Use “font-size” property along the value “clamp(10px, 2.5vw, 30px)” where the 10px is the minimum value, 30px is the maximum and the 2.5vw is the current value of the selected font. This function will make the font responsive under the defined limits.

CSS

p{
  font-size: clamp(10px, 2.5vw, 30px);
}

 
Output


We have described three efficient methods to create a responsive font in CSS.

Conclusion

To create a responsive font, “viewport units”, “media queries” or “clamp() function” can be used. There are four viewports’ units vw, vh, vmin, and vmax that help to create responsive fonts. Moreover, CSS @media is also used to apply different styling conditions to specific elements. The clamp() function can also be utilized to make fonts responsive. In this article, we have covered how to create responsive fonts in CSS.

About the author

Shehroz Azam

A Javascript Developer & Linux enthusiast with 4 years of industrial experience and proven know-how to combine creative and usability viewpoints resulting in world-class web applications. I have experience working with Vue, React & Node.js & currently working on article writing and video creation.