Ligatures

Ligatures are a combination of two or more letters that are joined together as a single character in typography. These combinations typically arise to improve the aesthetics or readability of text, particularly when certain letter pairs are used frequently. The resulting glyph represents a fusion of the original letters, smoothing the appearance and preventing collisions between the individual components. Historically, ligatures were more prevalent in handwriting and early printing, aiming to streamline writing and conserve space. Modern typography still utilizes ligatures, especially in fonts with a calligraphic or stylistic flair, or those designed for complex or historical scripts.

Ligatures meaning with examples

• In older fonts, the ligature 'fi' (representing f and i) is frequently used. This replaces the separate f and i, preventing them from bumping into each other. Using this ligature improves the overall visual flow and clarity of the text. Without the ligature, the dot of the 'i' might clash with the crossbar of the 'f' creating a less polished appearance and creating a more cluttered font which takes longer for readers to process.
• The 'ae' ligature (æ or Æ) can be seen as a single character. This is common in languages like Latin, French, and Icelandic, the use of this ligature offers a more refined and compact visual appearance when these letter pairs appear together. The character functions as a distinct letter in the alphabet. Without the ligature, words that may not use the ligature can appear more separated.
• Some fonts include ligatures for 'fl,' 'ff,' 'ffl,' and other combinations of letters. These are often more subtle than the 'fi' ligature, but their use adds a more consistent look to the text, especially with larger display fonts. Their main purpose is to avoid collisions between these particular letters in different forms, therefore improving aesthetics and providing balance.
• In certain calligraphic fonts, a ligature might transform multiple letters significantly. This style is used to give a stylistic effect with more elaborate designs and flourishes that link the letters with fluid, elegant strokes. The use of different fonts also contributes to the use of different ligatures with different letter styles.
• Web designers will often enable ligatures by default for certain fonts to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the typography on a website. Modern CSS can easily control and manage the display of ligatures within a design system. This feature offers a simple way to elevate the visual presentation without requiring additional manual typesetting.