When combining fonts, choose fonts that contrast each other or come from the same historic period. When mixing fonts in the same paragraph, select fonts with similar characteristics like x-height and cap height. If mixing two fonts in the same paragraph, make sure they have the same x-height so it does not appear jarring to readers. Bodoni and Futura seem like unlikely pairings but can work together due to their vertical strokes. Lucida Sans, Lucida Bright, and fonts designed to go together are good pairing options.

1. Choose fonts that
contrast

2. Choose fonts from
a large font family

3. Combine type from same
historic period

7. When combining in paragraphs use
type with similar characteristics,
such as x-height and cap height

14. If you intend to m ix typefaces in the sam e
paragraph, for a run-in head or for em phasis,
m ake them both the sam e x-height—that is,
the height of the letter x in the face (see Figure
14). If the x-heights differ m arkedly, it will be
jarring to your readers as their eyes run into
the bum ps of higher x-heights. If you’re using
a character style or nested style to call out
the run-in heads, just slightly reduce the size
of the font with the larger x-height to bring it
into line with the body text.
Bodoni and Futura may seem like un -
likely bedfellows. Designed 130 years
apart, one is a modern typeface with
extreme contrast between the thin and
thick parts of its stroke, and the oth -
er is a geometric, almost monoweight,
sans serif. What they have in common,
though, is a verticality of stroke, mak -
ing them a good match.
Lucida Sans
Lucida sans and Lucida Bright
Fonts that were designed to go together