Web fonts

Tasmanian Government websites must use a readable and accessible sans-serif web font (for example Open Sans). Fallback fonts must be generic sans-serif.

Please:

  • ensure appropriate letter-spacing and kerning for optimal readability
  • prioritise balanced proportions, clear letterforms, and avoid overly decorative designs that hinder legibility and intended communications
  • verify a clear distinction between similar characters, adequate contrast ratio, size scalability, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) compliance.

Choose sans serif fallback fonts that are readily available, with appropriate licensing, allowing free or unrestricted use.

Examples include open-source licenses like SIL, Open Font License (OFL) or Apache License.

Verify the font includes a comprehensive range of special characters and supports Latin extended as required (for example accented characters).

Font-family suggestions are:

  • Open Sans
  • Arial
  • Helvetica
  • Noto Sans.

A fallback font must:

  • have a pixel-width and kerning resembling the font of choice
  • be set to sans-serif.