{"id":40448,"date":"2025-03-05T12:28:15","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T09:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/typetype.org\/fr\/?p=40448"},"modified":"2026-05-15T10:15:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T07:15:19","slug":"numbers-and-numerals-in-typography-basic-types","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/typetype.org\/fr\/blog\/numbers-and-numerals-in-typography-basic-types\/","title":{"rendered":"Numbers and numerals in typography: basic types"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Numbers<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While we often discuss letters in our articles, numbers in typography typically receive less attention. However, this topic is fascinating and more complex than it might appear at first glance. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve dedicated this article entirely to numerals!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, you\u2019ll learn about different types of numerals, their purposes, the unique characteristics of each style, and where to find them in fonts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are there different types of numerals?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Numerals are symbols used to represent specific numbers (numerical values). Today, Arabic numerals\u2014symbols from 1 to 9\u2014are used almost worldwide. The first Western references to these numerals can be found in the Codex Vigilanus from 976 CE. In the Cyrillic tradition, Arabic numerals were introduced by Peter the Great in 1699.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"different<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Roman numerals are still in use today, particularly for denoting centuries, millennia, and in book tables of contents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Roman<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The most common type today is lining numerals (also known as lining figures, majuscule numerals, or titling figures). Let\u2019s explore these and other types of numerals in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lining (majuscule) numerals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lining (majuscule) proportionate numerals are numerals without ascenders or descenders, designed to match the height of uppercase letters. Their sidebearings follow the same logic as other characters in the typeface, meaning the width of each numeral varies. For example, the figure \u00ab\u00a01\u00a0\u00bb takes up less space than \u00ab\u00a09\u00a0\u00bb in the text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lining<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lining numerals are the default choice when there\u2019s no specific reason to use other types of numerals, and they\u2019re typically the standard set included in fonts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oldstyle (minuscule) numerals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oldstyle (minuscule) numerals, also known as old style figures or text figures (lowercase), first appeared in European manuscripts in the 13th century. In typography, they were introduced in 1788 when British punchcutter Richard Austin created a set of numerals three-quarters the height of capitals for John Bell\u2019s foundry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Oldstyle<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Oldstyle numerals feature ascenders and descenders, designed to match the height of lowercase letters or slightly taller. They\u2019re specifically designed for use within body text, which is why they\u2019re sometimes called text figures. Unlike lining numerals, oldstyle numerals blend harmoniously with the text, with each numeral effectively functioning like a letter in the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Oldstyle<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Typically, numerals 6 and 8 have ascenders, while 3, 4, 5, and 9 have descenders. However, alternative designs exist with different arrangements of ascenders and descenders, particularly for 3 and 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Oldstyle<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, while oldstyle numerals were traditionally associated with serif<\/a> typefaces, they\u2019re now widely available in sans serif<\/a> designs as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"oldstyle<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These numerals are usually included as an additional set in fonts and can be accessed through the OpenType Oldstyle Figures feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tabular figures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re familiar with monospaced fonts, you\u2019ll quickly understand tabular figures. If not, we recommend checking our Font Dictionary<\/a> or reading our dedicated article on this topic<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tabular figures (also called monospaced figures or tabular numerals) are the opposite of proportionate figures. Each numeral occupies the same amount of space\u2014the figure \u00ab\u00a01\u00a0\u00bb takes up exactly as much width as \u00ab\u00a09.\u00a0\u00bb Tabular figures are available in both lining and oldstyle forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tabular<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tabular figures can be lining and old style. Their primary purpose is to align vertically, making them ideal for use in tables and financial documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tabular<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The design of these numerals may either match or differ from their proportional counterparts, depending on the typeface\u2019s concept and the need to fit characters within the fixed width.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Numerators and Denominators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Numerators and denominators are smaller forms of lining numerals used in the upper and lower portions of fractions: <\/p>\n\n\n\n