Type Anatomy 1.0

česky | english

When reviewing recent typefaces for Typo magazine, we felt a need for lucid and definite terminology for a typeface anatomy. Terminology which would name type elements precisely and aid consistency between texts of various authors. Current Czech typographic literature does not seem sufficient in this respect and introduces some inconsistencies as well.

Important for this terminology is a division and strict separation of the terms in two main parts. The first being strokes and the second, finer elements and terminals. This significantly simplifies the definition, emphasis and later lookups of the terms. Another advantage of this terminology is the almost-perfect corespondence between Czech and English terms.

This document was originally created for private purposes, hence it is not a normative attempt. However, we would be very happy if anybody finds it useful.

Sources

Strokes

The stroke is a typeface element which defines the typeface structure. We distinguish between straight (vertical, horizontal, diagonal) and rounded strokes (open, closed). The idea of an instroke and outstroke comes from a calligraphic origin of the letterforms. The instroke is an inward stroke of the hand-written letterform, analogously, the outstroke is an outward stroke.

In order to prevent confusion we use a term arch for rounded parts of letters such as h, m, n instead of a term shoulder which is used in typographic terminology for different purposes.

  1. instroke
  2. stem
  3. rounded stroke
  4. outstroke
  1. instroke
  2. rounded stroke
  3. outstroke
  1. instroke
  2. ascender
  3. horizontal stroke
  4. stem
  5. serif bracket
  1. serif bracket
  2. arch
  3. stem
  4. right stem
  1. serif bracket
  2. stem
  3. outstroke
  1. ascender
  2. stem
  3. diagonal stroke = diagonal
  4. diagonal
  5. outstroke
  1. first arch
  2. second arch
  3. stem
  4. middle stem
  5. right stem
  1. rounded stroke
  2. descender
  1. first diagonal
  2. second diagonal
  3. third diagonal
  4. fourth diagonal
  1. first diagonal
  2. second diagonal

Finer elements & terminals

The finer elements are merely defined by their position within the letterform. The terminals of instrokes and outstrokes are usually named after their form (bulbous, tear-drop, …). Serifs are considered terminals as well.

  1. (open, upper) counter
  2. (closed, lower) counter
  3. bowl
  1. (upper) serif
  2. bowl
  3. counter
  4. spur
  1. (upper, ascender) serif
  2. bowl
  3. counter
  4. (bottom) serif
  1. counter
  2. bar
  3. spur
  1. tear-drop terminal
  2. bar
  1. (upper wedge) serif
  2. (bottom) serif
  1. ear
  2. counter
  3. loop
  1. dot
  2. serif
  3. tail
  1. (upper, ascender) serif
  2. (upper right) serif
  3. (bottom left) serif
  4. tail
  1. (upper left) serif
  2. (bottom left) serif
  3. (bottom middle) serif
  4. (bottom right) serif
  1. spur
  2. bowl
  3. counter
  4. serif
  1. (upper left) serif
  2. bulbous terminal
  3. (bottom) serif
  1. (upper, wedge) serif
  2. spine
  3. (bottom, wedge) serif
  1. apex
  2. (left) corner
  3. (middle) corner
  4. (right) corner
  5. (left) vertex
  6. (right) vertex
  1. (left) serif
  2. (right) serif
  3. corner
  4. tail
  1. bulbous terminal
  1. apex
  2. counter
  3. bar
  1. (upper) counter
  2. (upper) bowl
  3. (lower) counter
  4. (lower) bowl
  1. (upper left) serif
  2. (uper) arm
  3. (upper right) serif
  4. bar
  5. (bar) serif
  6. (left bottom) serif
  7. (bottom) arm
  8. (right bottom) serif
  1. (upper, wedge) serif
  2. counter
  3. (bottom) serif
  4. spur
  1. counter
  2. tail
  1. (upper) counter
  2. bowl
  3. (lower) counter
  4. tail

© Martin Pecina & David Březina 2008. If you would like to use this document for other than private purposes, please contact us and recquire printable PDF.