Typography
AP typography consists of two typefaces: AP Sans and AP Serif which are based on FF GOOD and Freight Text respectively. Both typefaces come in a variety of weights and styles and offer a fair amount of flexibility in their application.
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AP Sans
AP Sans is our sans-serif typeface and is based on the FF GOOD typeface. Most of our primary headlines, headers, labels, captions and explanatory text snippets are set in AP Sans.
For headlines we use AP Sans Bold or AP Sans Condensed Book or Medium, further guidance on when to use which one is provided below. When text such as “The Associated Press” or headlines are locked up with the logo, AP Sans Condensed should be used.
Most body copy, like the one you’re reading, is set in AP Serif or Freight Text.
AP Sans
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
AP Sans Medium
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
AP Sans Bold
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
AP Sans Condensed
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
AP Sans Condensed Medium
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
AP Sans Condensed Bold
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Outside of the typographic patterns below, we don’t have strict rules around when to use the condensed font versus the regular font. Legibility and function should be the guide.
AP Serif
AP Serif is our serif font and is based on Freight Text. For most subheads, body text and long form text we use AP Serif. Unless otherwise required, text should be left-aligned and never justified.
Intro blocks and short form text can be set in AP Serif Medium. Reserve AP Serif Bold for subheads or similar applications within long form text.
AP Serif
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
AP Serif Medium
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
AP Serif Bold
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Type scale
Our type scale is built on the ratio 1.272 where every other step on the scale is ~1.618 or the golden ratio. The scale is expressed in the number of steps above or below the base font size (typically body copy). So “base font size X3” or ($typescale-base-x3) represents a type size that is three steps above, or larger, than the base size or (base size x 1.272 x 1.272 x 1.272).
Sizes below the base size are expressed as typescale-base-x-1 meaning one step below the base size. In most cases, the base size should represent the main body text size.
Base font size X7
Base font size X6
Base font size X5
Base font size X4
Base font size X3
Base font size X2
Base font size X1
Base font size
Base font size X-1
Base font size X-2
Our type scale is designed to be experience and platform agnostic, meaning there isn't a specified size for say all H1 headers. Instead, apply the type scale in a way that works best for the content and experience you’re designing.
Body copy
Line length and text density typically inform body copy size. Whenever possible, aim for 60 to 100 characters per line and use responsive principles to scale type in relation to view port size.
Body copy set at base font size X1
Battling blackouts, gas shortages and scarce supplies, a hardy team of scientists is determined to transcend their country’s political and economic turmoil to record what happens as Venezuela’s last glacier vanishes. Join them on their trek through the Andes in AP's in-depth series about people fighting for environmental change against enormous odds.
Body copy set at base font size
Battling blackouts, gas shortages and scarce supplies, a hardy team of scientists is determined to transcend their country’s political and economic turmoil to record what happens as Venezuela’s last glacier vanishes. Join them on their trek through the Andes in AP's in-depth series about people fighting for environmental change against enormous odds.
Body copy set at base font size X-1
Battling blackouts, gas shortages and scarce supplies, a hardy team of scientists is determined to transcend their country’s political and economic turmoil to record what happens as Venezuela’s last glacier vanishes. Join them on their trek through the Andes in AP's in-depth series about people fighting for environmental change against enormous odds.
Line height
AP type is typically set with a line height of 1.5 for body text and 1.125 for display or large text. For Sass reference we use $lh-standard (1.5) and $lh-sub (1.125).
Headline in 1.125 line height, paragraph in 1.5 line height
AP’s top editor: News organizations must be ‘flexible, nimble and scrappy’
Speaking at the Inter American Press Association’s 75th General Assembly in Miami, Florida, on Sunday, Executive Editor Sally Buzbee called attention to challenges facing the news industry, including the erosion of local news and attacks on “the essential question of factual journalism.”
AP typography examples
Please visit our Design Systems: typography section to see how we work with type and learn more about established typographic patterns.