Fonts for Aviation & Transportation
Typography for cockpit displays, safety-critical systems, wayfinding signage, and transportation interfaces. Legibility under adverse conditions is paramount.
Typography Requirements
Source-backed compliance information for aviation & transportation applications.
FAA Human Factors Guidelines
- • Typography must be legible under varying lighting conditions
- • Font size must be appropriate for viewing distance
- • High contrast required for safety-critical information
- • Sans-serif fonts recommended for display legibility
Source: FAA Human Factors Guidelines (retrieved 2026-01-14)
FAA Advisory Circular AC 25-11B
- • Electronic flight displays must maintain readability
- • Font characteristics should support rapid information acquisition
- • Consistency across display elements is required
- • Testing under actual operating conditions recommended
Source: FAA AC 25-11B Electronic Flight Displays (retrieved 2026-01-14)
Note: Requirements may vary by jurisdiction. Consult relevant authorities for your specific context.
Font Selection Checklist
Key questions to consider when choosing fonts for aviation & transportation applications.
Is this for safety-critical displays?
Safety-critical applications require fonts tested under adverse conditions (vibration, lighting variations, fatigue).
What are the viewing distances and angles?
Font size must be calculated based on viewing distance. FAA provides formulas for minimum character height.
Will this be viewed under varying lighting conditions?
Consider how fonts render in direct sunlight, night conditions, and emergency lighting scenarios.
Recommended Fonts
Curated free fonts well-suited for aviation & transportation applications.
More Options
Additional fonts tagged for aviation & transportation applications.
Migrating from Premium Fonts?
Common premium fonts used in aviation & transportation and their free alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fonts are used in aviation displays?
Aviation displays typically use highly legible sans-serif fonts optimized for clarity under stress. DIN and Helvetica are common choices. Fonts must be tested for legibility under vibration, varying lighting, and at the specific viewing distances of cockpit displays. Custom fonts are often developed for specific aircraft systems.
Are there specific FAA font requirements?
The FAA provides guidelines in AC 25-11B for electronic flight displays, focusing on legibility and rapid information acquisition rather than mandating specific fonts. Key requirements include appropriate sizing for viewing distance, high contrast, and consistency. Certification requires testing under actual operating conditions.
Related Industries
Sources
- FAA Human Factors Guidelines — Retrieved 2026-01-14
- FAA AC 25-11B Electronic Flight Displays — Retrieved 2026-01-14