INTRODUCTION
Ever picked up a menu that felt like a puzzle? Tiny text, crowded items, poor spacing and suddenly even the tastiest restaurant looks unprofessional.
This is one of the biggest design mistakes restaurants make: using the wrong font size.
Customers don’t complain they just order less or leave faster.
A well-designed menu, with the right font size, actually increases average order value and makes your brand look premium.
Let’s break down the ideal font sizes for headings, descriptions, prices and more, so your menu feels readable, attractive and well-designed.
What Is the Best Font Size for a Menu?
For most printed menus, the recommended font sizes are:
| Menu Element | Ideal Font Size |
|---|---|
| Main Headings / Sections | 18–22 pt |
| Item Names | 14–16 pt |
| Descriptions | 11–13 pt |
| Prices | 11–12 pt |
| Fine Print (Allergens, Notes) | 8–10 pt |
These sizes keep your menu legible even in low lighting, busy dining rooms or takeaway settings.
If you’re printing takeaway menus, you can pair readable typography with high-quality paper using reliable printers. A popular choice many UK restaurants use is takeaway menu printing you can check options here:
👉 https://socialmediamax.co.uk/product/takeaway-menu-printing/
Key Questions People Ask
1. Is 12pt big enough for a menu?
For descriptions, yes.
For item names, 12pt is usually too small. Stick to 14–16pt for visibility.
2. What is the best font style for a menu?
The most readable fonts are:
- Helvetica / Arial
- Garamond
- Montserrat
- Roboto
- Baskerville
Avoid overly decorative fonts for body text save those for headings only.
3. Should prices be small or the same size as the text?
Prices should be visible but not dominant.
11–12pt keeps them subtle but readable perfect for natural upselling.
4. How do you make a menu easy to read?
- Use high contrast colours
- Keep sections clearly separated
- Use ample line spacing (1.3–1.5)
- Avoid clutter white space is your friend
5. Do digital menus need different font sizes?
Yes, for screens use:
- Headings: 24–28px
- Body text: 14–16px
Benefits of Using the Right Font Size
Feature → Advantage → Benefit
Feature: Large, readable font sizes
Advantage: Customers don’t strain their eyes
Benefit: They spend more time reading which increases order value
Feature: Clear hierarchy between headings, items and descriptions
Advantage: Easy to scan quickly
Benefit: Speeds up ordering and reduces pressure on your staff
Feature: Professional typography
Advantage: Consistent brand identity
Benefit: Your restaurant feels premium and trustworthy
Expert Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using one single font size for the whole menu
❌ Tiny descriptions under 10pt
❌ Fancy script fonts that are hard to read
❌ Overcrowded layouts without spacing
❌ Low-contrast colours (e.g., grey text on cream)
Real Example:
A café improved its menu by increasing item names from 12pt → 15pt and spacing the sections better.
Within one week:
✔ customers spent longer reading
✔ they ordered more add-ons
✔ complaints about “hard to read menus” disappeared
✔ menu looked high-end without redesigning everything
Small changes → big revenue results.
How to Choose the Best Font Size for Your Menu (Practical Guide)
Here’s a simple rule:
If your restaurant has dim lighting → go bigger
Use:
- 16pt items
- 13pt descriptions
If you’re printing takeaway menus → keep it compact but readable
- 14pt items
- 11pt descriptions
Good typography works best with good printing. Many restaurants pair great designs with premium takeaway menu printing to ensure clarity and colour accuracy.
Final Thoughts
The right font size isn’t about design trends — it’s about improving clarity, professionalism and customer experience.
A readable menu feels premium, guides decisions and helps customers order faster and more confidently.
If you’re updating your printed menus, make sure the typography and paper quality match.
You can explore professional takeaway menu printing here:
👉 https://socialmediamax.co.uk/product/takeaway-menu-printing/
Clear design + quality printing = a menu that sells for you.