Lowercase works the best for body text and extended reading passages.
Word Recognition
Kevin Larson's Microsoft white paper provides evidence that "we recognize a word's component letters, then use that visual information to recognize a word" (Larson, 2004). This challenges the traditional Word Shape recognition model that typographers have historically relied upon.
Legibility Findings
- Pattern contrast — Lowercase creates superior contrast patterns compared to uppercase, producing a better environment for reading
- Title/heading use — Initial caps are preferred for titles and headings
- Small size exception — At smaller sizes, well-spaced capitals may be more visible than lowercase, but should be avoided for continuous reading
- All caps caution — Words in all caps are considered less legible than lowercase alternatives