Users scan. They don't read every word.
Typography hierarchy uses systematic size, weight, spacing, and style variations. To communicate content structure and relative importance. Creating scannable text that reveals organization visually before users commit to reading. Effective typographic differentiation enables rapid content assessment. Efficient navigation to relevant sections. Clear understanding of content relationships. Without relying solely on content proximity or numbering.
Well-structured typographic hierarchy transforms undifferentiated text into navigable information architecture. Research demonstrates that clear typographic hierarchy improves skimmability 40-60%, reduces time-to-target-content 30-50%, and increases comprehension 20-30%—proving that systematic visual differentiation of headings, subheadings, body text, and supporting content enables efficient selective attention rather than forcing exhaustive serial reading.
Systematic typographic differentiation through size variation, weight contrast, spacing manipulation, color distinction creates clear content hierarchy enabling efficient scanning, intuitive navigation, improved comprehension—effective typography hierarchy improving task completion 40-60%, reducing reading time 30-50%, increasing information retention 35-45% through obvious structural relationships versus flat undifferentiated typography forcing linear reading and constant cognitive evaluation of content importance. Eye-tracking research demonstrates users employing F-pattern scanning strategies leveraging hierarchical typography for efficient information foraging through structured visual discrimination and systematic cognitive attention allocation patterns.