Cap Height
The height of capital letters measured from the baseline to the top of flat capitals like H or E.
Cap height varies between typefaces and affects how large a font feels at the same point size. Pairing typefaces with similar cap heights helps headings and body text align visually.
Learn more in the guide
Anatomy of TypeRelated terms
Baseline
The invisible line upon which most letters sit; the reference line for vertical alignment and rhythm in typography.
X-Height
The height of lowercase letters such as x, a, and e, measured from the baseline to the top of the main body (excluding ascenders and descenders).
Ascender
The part of a lowercase letter that extends above the x-height, as in b, d, h, and l.