Gymgraf-Jim's Graphics

Letter Visibility Reference Chart

Viewing Distance (feet)	Minimum required letter height (inches)
100	4
125	5
150	6
175	7
200	8
225	9
250	10
City Block - 360	16
500	22
750	33
1000	43
1/4 mile - 1320	57

Calculations are based on externally (or natural) lit sign with all upper case Helvetica letters utilizing optimal negative space. This assumes the viewer has average or 20/20 vision.

Factors that may also affect the required letter size are colour scheme, font type, font stroke, traffic and weather conditions.

Care and planning is needed to provide designs that are visible to the most people from the greatest distance, failure to do so will limit the effectiveness of the advertisement.

90 km/h = 82 feet/second
3 seconds = 246 feet traveled

See the: Time Speed and Distance Graph for more information.

Information provided by Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Penn State University and the United States Sign Council (USSC). c1998

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