All typefaces are not created equal. Some are fat and wide; some are thin and narrow. So words set in different typefaces can take up a very different amount of space on the page.
The height of each character is known as its ‘x-height’ (quite simply because it’s based on the ‘x’ character). When pairing different typefaces, it’s generally wise to use those that share a similar x-height.
The width of each character is known as the ‘set width’. This spans the body of the letter, plus the space that acts as a buffer between one letterform and the next.
The most common method used to measure type is the point system, which dates back to the 18th century. One point is 1/72 inch. 12 points make one pica, a unit used to measure column widths. Type sizes can also be measured in inches, millimetres, or pixels.
Describe the terms of font size to measure the height from Descent to Ascent.