Infographic Fonts: Chart Labels, Numbers and Explanatory Hierarchy

The Office for National Statistics specifies Open Sans for its charts, with separate weights for text roles. Its chart typography guidance calls for horizontal, sentence-case text and describes use of stylistic set 1. Those are specifications for ONS work rather than a universal requirement for every infographic. They demonstrate that a useful font decision includes labels, numerals and hierarchy, not just the decorative heading above a graphic.

Write the title, measurement unit, time period and category names from the actual data. Keep a long category name in the specimen rather than replacing every label with short placeholder words. Compare Open Sans with the independent Inter and Source Sans 3 specimens below. Inspect decimal points, minus signs, percent symbols and repeated digits at the smallest intended size. A display alphabet that looks striking in a title may not support equally clear numeric labels.

Use a plain title that identifies the main comparison, then reserve a separate line for coverage and period when needed. ONS chart-text guidance distinguishes a trend-led title from a subtitle specifying the data and asks for a data source directly after the chart. For an independent infographic, use the same category wording in the illustration and surrounding explanation. When shortening a label, keep a clear route back to the full name and avoid changing its meaning.

Place the longest labels, a representative annotation and the source note into the complete design. Check the mobile or printed version separately instead of scaling down a large desktop composition and assuming it remains readable. If labels collide, reconsider the chart shape, label positions or amount of information before shrinking every word. Keep a text explanation and the underlying values available alongside a graphic when publishing, so understanding does not depend entirely on reading lettering embedded in an image.