Which is the best font for writing?

Fonts might not shout, but they certainly speak. Whether you're writing a cover letter, a financial aid appeal letter, or a formal complaint, the font you choose says as much about you as the words themselves. A well-chosen font can lend professionalism, clarity and trust. A poor one can make even the best-written letter look amateurish.

At LetterLab, a professional letter writing service in the UK, font choice is part of what we do daily. If you're not sure which font is best for your letter, here's what we recommend based on readability, professionalism and accessibility.

Why font choice matters in professional letters

Most readers form an opinion within seconds of opening a letter. If the font looks awkward, crowded, or overly decorative, the rest of the message risks being skimmed or ignored. This is particularly important when writing a letter to a judge, making a demand letter for personal injury, or preparing a keepsake letter to a grandchild.

The British Dyslexia Association recommends fonts that are clear, evenly spaced and without confusing letter shapes. Even for readers without dyslexia, a dyslexia-friendly font improves speed and understanding.

Best fonts for formal and persuasive writing

Here are five of the most effective and widely accepted fonts when writing formal letters:

1. Times New Roman A traditional serif font used in legal, academic and official documents. It looks serious and trustworthy, making it ideal for letters like a character reference or a financial aid appeal letter.

2. Arial Clean, simple and easy to read on screen and paper. It’s widely used in cover letters and professional emails. Arial is also accessible for readers with visual processing issues.

3. Calibri Microsoft’s modern default font is soft on the eye and highly legible. It’s an excellent choice for writing letters to councils or public bodies, including noise complaint letters or applications for housing.

4. Georgia A slightly more stylish serif font, Georgia was designed for screen readability. It’s perfect for PDF letters or anything viewed digitally, including letters to a judge or local MP.

5. Verdana This sans-serif font offers wide spacing and high clarity. It’s recommended by accessibility experts such as AbilityNet, and works well for clients with visual impairments.

Fonts to avoid when writing serious letters

Avoid fonts that distract or look informal. These include:

• Comic Sans – Often perceived as childish or unprofessional

• Brush Script or Cursive fonts – Difficult to read and not suitable for formal settings

• Papyrus – Unusual styling that rarely fits official contexts

  
  

If you're writing a letter of recommendation for citizenship, a parent writing a letter to a teacher, or submitting a statement to a tribunal, clarity and professionalism are more important than creativity.

Real-world example from LetterLab

One of our clients recently needed help writing a letter to a judge on behalf of someone involved in a family court matter. They’d typed their original letter in cursive script. The message was heartfelt, but the judge struggled to read it clearly. After we rewrote it in plain English using Georgia font, the revised version was praised for its clarity and tone.

Similarly, when preparing a demand letter for personal injury or a formal complaint to a housing association, we typically use Arial or Calibri to ensure the letter is scannable and taken seriously.

Tips for choosing the right font

• Use size 11 or 12 for body text

• Maintain 1.15 to 1.5 line spacing for comfort

• Stick to standard fonts accepted by most employers, officials or institutions

• Save decorative fonts for headings, not the body of your letter

  
  

You can also check guidance from the UK Government’s accessibility standards to ensure your letter meets basic visual accessibility standards.

Let LetterLab help you write it right

The font is just the beginning. At LetterLab, we specialise in writing letters that get read and respected. Whether it's a cover letter, a legal statement, or a heartfelt note to a loved one, we make sure every word looks the part.

Stop worrying about spacing, tone or presentation. Let our experts write your letter from start to finish.

Visit www.letterwritingservice.co.uk to get started today.