Which font to use in your emails to combine readability and performance

A reader opens your morning newsletter. The content is interesting, the tone is right, the visuals are balanced. Yet something feels off: the typography. Too thin, poorly rendered on mobile, hard to read in Outlook. Result: the email gets closed right away. This often underestimated detail can turn an effective message into a frustrating experience. So, which font should you use in your emails to combine readability, aesthetics, and performance? Here’s a clear, illustrated guide designed for media teams, communicators, and anyone who wants to elevate their email marketing design.

• Why email typography is essential
• Recommended fonts for your emails
• Compatibility and readability by email client
• Best practices for choosing an email font
• Comparison table of web safe fonts
• In short: Which font should I use in my emails?

Why email typography is essential

Email typography directly influences comprehension, brand perception, and click-through rate. A readable newsletter font improves the reading experience and builds trust. Conversely, a poorly chosen font can harm credibility and email deliverability.

Targeting, engagement, and performance — the benefits of a consistent design are immediate. How do you establish this typographic consistency in your campaigns? It all starts with selecting the right fonts.

Recommended fonts for your emails

So-called “web safe” fonts are the most reliable for ensuring consistent rendering across all platforms. These are safe fonts for emailing because they display correctly in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and most browsers.

• Arial: clear, modern, and compatible everywhere.
• Verdana: ideal for reading emails on mobile.
• Georgia: elegant, suited to editorial newsletters.
• Tahoma: a good balance between readability and style.
• Helvetica: the standard for a clean, minimalist look.

Custom fonts (like Montserrat or Lato) can elevate your email marketing design, but watch their compatibility. On some platforms, they will be replaced by a default alternative. Always plan a fallback to avoid visual surprises.

Compatibility and readability by email client

Font compatibility in emails varies by software. A font that looks perfect in Gmail may render differently in Outlook. That’s why testing each campaign before sending is essential.

Mindbaz makes this easier: thanks to its preview engine, media teams can check rendering in each client before sending, ensuring uncompromising email deliverability.

Best practices for choosing an email font

Choosing an effective font isn’t random. Here are some simple tips to ensure readability and comfort:

• Use a minimum size of 14px for body text.
• Favor web safe fonts like Arial or Verdana.
• Avoid script or decorative fonts that are hard to read on mobile.
• Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background.
• Systematically test your emails on multiple clients and devices.

Segmentation is essential for email campaigns, but no longer sufficient. Typography is part of the overall user experience and influences reading behavior. A consistent, well-chosen font can genuinely improve results while reducing unsubscribe rates.

Comparison table of web safe fonts

A quick overview of the main HTML email fonts and their compatibility:

How do you choose the right font to make your emails more readable and effective?

Choose a clear, universal font like Arial or Verdana. They ensure smooth reading on every screen and reinforce the credibility of your emails.