Mixed case vs all lower case… Which is more readable?

According to UX and accessibility research, mixed case text is easier to read than all caps – especially for long text. “The more nonparallel edges your text has, the higher the shape contrast it has. High shape contrast makes words easier for users to recognize.”

1. Is it easier to read all caps or lowercase?
2. Are all caps harder to read?
3. Does capitalization affect readability?
4. Why not use all caps?

Is it easier to read all caps or lowercase?

It is thought by cognitive scientists and typographers alike, that lower-case text is more legible than upper-case. Yet lower-case letters are, on average, smaller in height and width than upper-case characters, which suggests an upper-case advantage.

Are all caps harder to read?

Readability is reduced with all caps because all words have a uniform rectangular shape, meaning readers can't identify words by their shape. Don't underline text.

Does capitalization affect readability?

Capitalised words are not easy to read for many reasons. We're more used to reading words in lowercase letters, so our brains find lowercase words easier to scan and absorb. 1. Do not capitalise whole words or phrases.

Why not use all caps?

As well as coming across with bad manners, the use of All Caps can reduce the readability of your text. Usability expert Jakob Nielsen has found that reading on screen can be around 25% slower than reading from paper1, and reading All Caps can be a further 10% slower2.