Median/x-height

The term "Median" or "x-height" in typography refers to the height of the lowercase letters in a typeface, specifically the height of the lowercase "x" from the baseline. It represents the main body height of lowercase letters, excluding any ascenders (like in "b", "d", "h") or descenders (like in "p", "q", "y").

Key Points:

• Baseline: The invisible line on which most letters sit.
• x-height (Median): The distance from the baseline to the top of the lowercase "x".
• It affects readability, legibility, and the overall appearance of the typeface.
• A larger x-height generally improves legibility at smaller sizes.
• Not all lowercase letters reach the x-height (e.g., "a", "c", "e" may have rounded tops that fall slightly below it).

Visual Example:

In the word "example", the letters e, x, a, m, p, l, e mostly align with the x-height, except for the "l" which has an ascender.

Summary:

Median/x-height is a fundamental typographic measurement that defines the height of the lowercase letterforms, crucial for type design and readability.