Serif Normal Idlum 3 is a regular weight, narrow, medium contrast, upright, tall x-height font.
Keywords: books, editorial, magazines, longform, academic, classic, bookish, refined, traditional, readability, tradition, versatility, editorial tone, text setting, bracketed serifs, oldstyle feel, open counters, moderate spacing, text-grade.
A conventional serif with a calm, readable rhythm and moderately bracketed serifs. Strokes show clear but not dramatic contrast, with smooth transitions into the serifs and largely vertical stress in the round forms. Proportions are on the condensed side, giving capitals and lowercase a tidy, economical footprint while maintaining open apertures and counters. Lowercase forms are steady and text-oriented, with a double-storey “g,” a modest, sturdy “a,” and straightforward numerals that keep consistent color in running text.
This style fits comfortably in book typography, magazine articles, and other long-form reading where steadiness and clarity matter. It also works well for academic or institutional materials that benefit from a traditional, trustworthy voice, and for headlines or pull quotes when a classic serif texture is desired.
The overall tone is familiar and literary, suggesting credibility and restraint rather than display theatrics. It feels suited to classic publishing conventions—polished and conservative, with an understated elegance.
The design intention appears to be a dependable, traditional text serif optimized for continuous reading, balancing compact proportions with clear internal space and restrained contrast for consistent typographic color.
In the text sample, the font maintains even color and stable spacing across mixed case and punctuation, with serifs that help guide the eye along the line. Capitals have a stately presence without excessive ornament, and the figures read clearly at text sizes.