Typography Systems for Multi-Language Sites

A typeface that looks elegant in English can feel cramped in German and completely fall apart in Arabic. Designing for multiple scripts means understanding the structural differences between writing systems.

Line Height Is Not Universal

CJK characters are more complex and benefit from slightly increased line height. Arabic's connected forms need careful word-spacing to prevent disjointed reading. One-size-fits-all typography doesn't exist.

The best multi-language sites define typographic scales per script, not per component. A heading in Chinese might need to be 15% larger than its English equivalent to achieve the same visual weight.