Typography
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 do not require a specific font. However, your text must be easy to read. Typography plays a key role in readability, contrast and legibility. These are essential for accessible design.
Use consistent typography styles. Make sure text contrast, resizing, spacing and reflow meet accessibility requirements.
Fonts
The NSW Government uses Public Sans for all digital products and services. This creates a consistent and recognisable look. Public Sans is used for both headings and body text. It is free to download from Google Fonts.
Public Sans is a custom font. Always include a web-safe fallback font. In the NSW Design System, Arial is the preferred backup font.
Use this font stack in your CSS:
body {font-family: 'Public Sans', Arial, sans-serif;}
Standard heading styles
The NSW Design System provides standard heading sizes to support consistency and accessibility across devices and screen sizes.
Text contrast
Text contrast is critical for accessibility. Low contrast can make text hard to read and may cause eye strain or headaches. It can also prevent people with vision impairment from accessing content.
Meeting the WCAG contrast minimum (1.4.3) ensures text stands out from the background. This makes content easier to read for more people.
Visit NSW Design System base colour theme, for more information on text colours.
- Headings or large text (over 18 point): minimum contrast ratio 3:1
- Body Text: minimum contrast ratio 4.5:1
How to test
- Install the Colour Contrast Checker Chrome extension or visit the Colour Contrast Checker Website
- Use the eyedropper to select the text colour and background colour
- Review the results
- Ensure both AA Large and AA Normal pass as a minimum
'If you come across something that is not accessible, or does not have reading order or alt text set, it becomes very difficult to use.'
— Accessibility NSW research participant
Text resize and reflow
Reflow
Text reflow (1.4.10) allows users to zoom text up to 400% without needing to scroll in 2 directions. On smaller screens, such as mobile devices, content should reflow into a single column. This creates a responsive and accessible experience.
How to test
Desktop
- Use ‘Ctrl +’ and ‘Ctrl –’ to zoom in and out
- Set zoom to 400% and set the browser width to 1280 pixels
- Open the page to test
- Open a second window at 1280 pixels with no zoom
- Compare both views and check that no content is missing
Accessible content should still be visible and usable at 400% zoom. If content is hidden or unclear, it fails.
Read the Understanding Reflow (Level AA) guidance for more information.
Resizing text
Text resize (1.4.4) allows users to increase text size up to 200% without losing content or clarity. Text should not overlap or become unreadable.
It is acceptable to scroll in 2 directions for this measure, unlike reflow.
How to test
Desktop:
- Use ‘Ctrl +’ and ‘Ctrl –’ to change text size
- Increase text to 200% zoom and check it remains readable
Mobile/tablet device:
- Increase zoom to 200%.
If the text does not resize or becomes unclear, it fails.
Visit Understanding Resize Text (level AA) for more information.
Text spacing
Text spacing affects how easily people can read and understand content.
Adjusting spacing to meet WCAG 1.4.12:
- Line spacing must be at least 1.5 times the font size
- Paragraph spacing must be at least 2 times the font size
- Letter spacing must be at least 0.12 times the font size
- Word spacing must be at least 0.16 times the font size
These settings help make content more readable and accessible.
Support
If you need help or have questions, email digital.accessibility@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.
To report an accessibility issue with NSW Government content, use the web accessibility report form.