What Is Poster Text Hierarchy?
Typographic hierarchy is a design principle that applies different sizes and weights to text based on how important it is, guiding the viewer's eye naturally through a layout. When you shrink text step by step from headline to subhead to body to caption, viewers start reading from the largest, boldest element and instinctively understand what matters most.
This calculator takes the size of your smallest text (usually the caption) along with a scale ratio, then multiplies by the ratio raised to a power for each level up. For example, a 14px base with a 1.5 ratio produces a 21px body, a 31.5px subhead, and a 47.3px headline. The larger the ratio, the bigger the jump between levels — and the more dramatic the contrast feels.
Calm layouts like brochures or reports work well with a 1.25-1.333 ratio, while attention-grabbing posters and event banners benefit from 1.5 or higher — the golden ratio (1.618) in particular creates the most striking contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions
A design principle that varies size and weight by importance to guide the viewer's eye.
1.25-1.333 for subtle looks, 1.5 or higher for strong emphasis.
Headline, subhead, body, and caption — 4 levels — is the most common setup.