Black on white or white on black?

joshcxa · #1 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 00:09

I'm having a discussion with my boss about which is better to read. Black text on a white background or white text on a black background?

He tells me he has seen research proving that black text on a white background is the best way to display text. I disagree.

What do you guys think?

Lchad · #2 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 00:29

my vote is black lettering on white...

sannbe · #3 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 04:18

Ya, agree with Lchad...back on white.

Correction: Black on white.

Ryan Fait · #4 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 04:34

I concur. Black on white.

acrikey · #5 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 07:10

As above, sorry Joshcxa you seem to have been beaten by your boss

Moonlilly · #6 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 10:19

I have to agree... black text on a white background is the way to go. If the opposite was easier, we would all have black paper with white ink printers

spinal007 · #7 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 10:36

Yep. Black text on white background.

karinne · #8 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 12:07

Colour Bland: Value

Quote:

For maximum legibility, black text on a white background is the holy grail of on-screen design. This is not to say that every single instance of every single design entails using solely black on white. In fact, to some people (especially those on LCD monitors, which have amazingly high contrast ratios to begin with) this can prove too much contrast. But the basic principle is a starting point: dark text on light background is more legible than light text on dark background, and contrast between the text and what it sits on determines how easy it is to read.

pa007 · #9 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 15:48

I don't like black on white, its too harsh. I prefer black on off-white or or not-quite-black on white. It's a fine balance. If the contrast is too high it can become difficult to read, if the contrast is too low then it can easily be too difficult to read.

But not white on black that's for sure, though in certain instances it can be quite effective.

Pete.

JacobHaug · #10 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 20:15

Yeah, I am going to have to agree with Pete.

joshcxa · #11 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 23:11

well there you go!

thanks guys

Ryan Fait · #12 (**permalink**) May 1st, 2007, 23:28

I think the problem with white on black is that browser support for proper aliasing of the text is poor. If we're talking large text (18px and up), I'd say the white on black would be better. Anyone else agree with me on that?

ipeak · #13 (**permalink**) May 10th, 2007, 22:05

Black on white is the best. After a while white on black can be a strain on the eyes

Accurax · #14 (**permalink**) May 10th, 2007, 22:28

I have a friend whos a professional copywriter ... for direct mail.. nothing to do with the web ... and he allways sends his letters out on cream paper ... says he gets a 10% better response if he does that.

He's been doing it for 20 odd years.... so i guess he knows.

However..... that doesnt mean its true for websites as well....

moojoo · #15 (**permalink**) May 11th, 2007, 14:31

<blink> tags and neon colored text is the wave of the future. Or black on white, although as stated sometimes white on black really works. If black is too harsh try #333333, #666666, #999999.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[SOLVED] text gone black	jtyoungs	Web Page Design	9	Sep 28th, 2007 16:49
IE5 css bodytext shows black?	gene stevo	Web Page Design	1	Aug 19th, 2007 11:20
Black Screen of DOOM	griffonwing	Flash & Multimedia Forum	7	Jun 29th, 2007 21:16
Black Reef Designs	BlackReef	Free Web Site Critique	12	Jun 28th, 2007 22:14
imagecopyresized - black and white	djme	PHP Forum	1	Aug 10th, 2006 19:47

		Webforumz.com > Community > Webforumz Cafe
Black on white or white on black?