Great web design isn't about following trends—it's about understanding fundamental principles that make interfaces clear, usable, and beautiful.

This guide covers the core principles every designer should know, with practical rules and real examples you can apply to your projects today.

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Typography Fundamentals

Typography is the foundation of web design. Poor typography makes great content unreadable. Great typography makes average content shine.

Looking for font recommendations? Check out 20 Awesome Typography to Use on Your Websites for curated Google Fonts.

Font Selection Rules

Use 2-3 fonts maximum

More fonts create visual chaos. Stick to:

• 1 font for headings
• 1 font for body text
• (Optional) 1 monospace font for code

Pair fonts with contrast

Good pairings have clear differences:

• Serif + Sans-serif — Classic, professional
• Display + Simple — Bold headlines, clean body
• Geometric + Humanist — Modern, friendly

Bad pairings look too similar and compete:

• Arial + Helvetica (too similar)
• Times New Roman + Georgia (no contrast)

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Font Pairing Examples

1. Playfair Display + Inter

Font types: Serif + Sans-serif

Description: Playfair Display is an elegant serif with high contrast, perfect for luxury brands and editorial designs. Inter is a modern sans-serif designed specifically for screens, ensuring maximum readability at any size.

Best for:

• Editorial websites and online magazines
• Luxury brands and portfolios
• Professional blogs
• Content-heavy sites

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2. Space Grotesk + Source Sans Pro

Font types: Geometric sans-serif + Humanist sans-serif

Description: Space Grotesk is a geometric sans-serif with a modern, tech-forward aesthetic. Source Sans Pro is Adobe's first open-source typeface, designed with exceptional readability for UI and long-form content.

Best for:

• Tech startups and SaaS products
• Modern corporate websites
• Design agencies
• Developer tools and documentation

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3. Bebas Neue + Roboto

Font types: Condensed display + Neo-grotesque sans-serif

Description: Bebas Neue is a bold, condensed sans-serif that commands attention in headlines. Roboto is Google's flagship font, mechanical yet friendly, perfect for both web and mobile interfaces.

Best for:

• Sports and fitness brands
• Action-oriented products
• Event websites
• Mobile-first applications

Discover more popular typography by reading 20 Awesome Typography to Use on Your Websites.

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Typography Scale

Use a consistent scale for all text sizes. Don't pick random numbers.

Common scales:

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Line Height Rules

Line height (leading) affects readability dramatically.

Body text: 1.5-1.7 (150%-170%)

• Too tight (1.2): Hard to read, lines run together
• Just right (1.6): Easy to scan, comfortable
• Too loose (2.0): Disconnected, hard to follow

Headings: 1.1-1.3 (110%-130%)

• Large text needs less line height
• Tighter spacing looks intentional

Example comparison:

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Line Length & Readability

Ideal line length: 50-75 characters

Implementation:

.content {
  max-width: 65ch; /* 65 characters */
}

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Font Weight Guidelines

Use font weights to create hierarchy.

Don't use more than 3 weights per font. Too many weights = no hierarchy.

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Color Theory for Web Design

Color creates emotion, guides attention, and establishes brand identity.

Need color inspiration? Browse Website Color Palettes 2026 and Website Color Schemes 2026 for ready-to-use combinations.

The 60-30-10 Rule

Distribute colors in your design:

• 60% — Dominant color (usually neutral background)
• 30% — Secondary color (supporting elements)
• 10% — Accent color (CTAs, highlights)

Example:

Color Contrast Rules

Minimum contrast ratios (WCAG standards):

• Normal text: 4.5:1
• Large text (18pt+): 3:1
• UI components: 3:1

Bad contrast examples:

Good contrast examples:

Color Psychology

Colors carry meaning. Use them intentionally.

Creating Color Palettes

Start with one primary color, then build using these methods.

Neutral Colors

Every palette needs neutrals for text, backgrounds, and borders.

Don't use pure black (#000000) or pure white (#FFFFFF)

Use near-black and off-white instead:

Build a neutral scale:

• 900: Near-black text
• 800: Dark gray text
• 700: Medium gray text
• 600: Muted text
• 500: Borders, dividers
• 400: Disabled elements
• 300: Subtle backgrounds
• 200: Light backgrounds
• 100: Lightest backgrounds
• 50: Near-white

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Spacing and Layout

Consistent spacing creates rhythm and polish.

The 8-Point Grid System

Use multiples of 8 for ALL spacing.

Applied:

.card {
  padding: 24px;      /* 3 × 8 */
  margin-bottom: 32px; /* 4 × 8 */
  gap: 16px;          /* 2 × 8 */
}

White Space Rules

White space isn't empty—it's structure.

More white space = more importance

Content width limits

Don't stretch content edge-to-edge:

• Text content: max 65-75 characters (650-750px)
• Full layouts: max 1200-1400px
• Use padding: 40-80px on large screens

Visual Hierarchy

Guide the eye with size, weight, and spacing.

Hierarchy through scale:

Hierarchy through color:

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Responsive Design Rules

Design for every screen size.

Mobile-First Approach

Start small, enhance for large screens.

Breakpoint Strategy

Use these common breakpoints.

Don't design for specific devices—design for content.

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Accessibility Principles

Good design is accessible design.

Color Isn't Enough

Never rely on color alone to convey information.

Keyboard Navigation

All interactive elements must be keyboard accessible.

Alt Text for Images

Every image needs descriptive alt text.

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Final Principles

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Putting It Together

Great web design combines all these fundamentals.

Master these fundamentals, and your designs will be timeless—regardless of trends.