What font size is required?

Required font sizes for consumer product labels vary by region, relying on measurements like point size, lowercase letter height (x-height), or absolute millimeter/inch dimensions.

United States (FDA):

• Standard minimum: Generally 6-point font for nutrition and general information text.
• Net Quantity / Statement of Identity: Size depends on the area of the Principal Display Panel (PDP); letters must be prominent and conspicuous, typically at least 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) based on lowercase “o”.
• Small packages: Exceptions allow down to 4.5-point for tight spaces.

Canada:

• Net Quantity & General Text: Minimum letter height of 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) if using uppercase, or measured by lowercase “o” for mixed case.
• Scaling: Minimum text height scales up (from 1.6 mm to 12.7 mm) depending on the total surface area of the primary display panel.
• Ingredients: Generally aligned with 6-point or 1.6 mm equivalents in sans-serif type.

European Union (EU) & United Kingdom (UK):

• Mandatory Text (Food/Cosmetics): Minimum 1.2 mm x-height (the height of the lowercase letter “x”, roughly equivalent to a 7pt–9pt font size depending on the typeface).
• Small packaging exception: If the largest packaging surface area is under 80 cm², a reduced minimum 0.9 mm x-height is permitted (~5pt).

Japan:

• Legibility Standard: Regulated under the Food Labeling Act and JAS/Jissa standards, requiring text to be clearly legible. It typically mandates a minimum character height of 1.2 mm for mandatory information on standard containers, mirroring international readability limits.