Serif Normal Idlum 2 is a regular weight, narrow, low contrast, upright, tall x-height font.
Keywords: body text, editorial, book design, newspapers, reports, classic, bookish, formal, reserved, space saving, text clarity, traditional tone, editorial utility, bracketed, crisp, condensed, vertical, high-waisted.
A condensed serif with a strongly vertical stance and compact letterfit. Strokes are largely even, with subtle modulation and crisp bracketed serifs that stay small and controlled, giving the forms a clean, authoritative edge. Counters are relatively tight and apertures are modest, while round letters keep an upright, slightly oval geometry. The lowercase shows a notably tall x-height and short extenders, producing a dense, efficient texture; numerals follow the same compact rhythm with straightforward, readable shapes.
Well-suited to space-conscious typography such as newspapers, magazines, and reference layouts where column width is limited. It can also work effectively for book interiors, reports, and other long-form reading where a compact, traditional serif voice is desired.
The overall tone is traditional and editorial, suggesting seriousness and restraint rather than ornament. Its narrow proportions and tidy detailing feel pragmatic and text-minded, with a quietly formal, institutional flavor.
The design appears intended as a conventional, economical text serif that preserves a classic serif identity while fitting more characters per line. Its tall x-height and controlled serifs prioritize legibility and steady rhythm in dense composition.
In running text the vertical rhythm is consistent, with minimal flourish and little calligraphic swing, keeping attention on the content. The condensed width increases perceived contrast between stems and whitespace, creating a darker, more compact page color than broader oldstyle serifs.