4 ms·
The easiest way to tell is that Helvetica is obsessive about straight horizontal edges, while Arial tends to use angled edges rather unsystematically.
by spolsky 17y ago
The easiest way to tell is that Helvetica is obsessive about straight horizontal edges, while Arial tends to use angled edges rather unsystematically.
- dcurtis 17y agoExcept, for some reason, the capital R in Helvetica, which is a very curvy letter.
- unalone 17y agoBut the R only curves so that its leg meets the base at a logical angle. Arial's straight leg looks straighter, but if you isolate it as a piece itself then that straight part cuts off at a diagonal angle to maintain the flat bottom.
- dcurtis 17y agoOh, wow, interesting; I hadn't thought about it that way. (The R does still have a little serif though, which always bothers me.)
- onreact-com 17y agoIt's easier, you pay for Helvetica while Arial is free. Also no graphic designer of at least basic skills uses Arial. Arial is only used on the Web.