How to choose fonts

[gamex]

Normally, when I make a site, I would purchase a template either from NP or template monster. This time, I have decided to build my own. I thought the hardest part would be doing the actual design, however, the hardest part seems to be choosing a font. How do you other web designers choose fonts for your site? Not for the main content text, but like the nav menus and things like that. I have spent hours trying to find a font I like and am having a lot of trouble. I guess what I am asking is, is it best to stick to a standard font for nav menus, etc?

Also, I saw a template on TM which had a font I want to try, but I cant figure out what it is. Take a look at http://www.templatemonster.com/website-templates/1573.html, any idea which font is used on the top menu?

 

[JYM]

Well, I design in CSS so all my nav menus use text, not images. Therefore, I need to use a font which is available on most computers. Normally, I use Arial or Verdana, or another sans-serif font.

Templatemonster uses tables for design, not only that but each nav link is an image. It is possible then to use whatever font you want, although I don't believe this is the ideal way.

I just stick with Arial and everything looks fine

 

[aaronfalloon]

Sorry, I don't know what font that is.

When I'm choosing a font to use, I usually go clean and simple. I want a uniform look so I use a font that can be displayed on most computers. Fonts like Arial, Verdana and Georgia.

 

[tm]

http://www.dafont.com/bitmap.php

It can also be produced by all-caps on a font (which i forget) if you want to use css.

 

[gamex]

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[newton]

Try this one out, I use it all the time and its freeware. Its invaluable to show what fonts look like that are either installed or on a cd, you can even temporarily install fonts and then remove them. http://www.ampsoft.net/utilities/FontViewer.php

Typical I use Tahoma / Verdana as they are very clean crisp fonts.

 

[Anthony]

Silkscreen is a popular option for menus and captions on websites.

 

[DylanButler]

Silkscreen is a popular option for menus and captions on websites.

Indeed so I was just about to post that.

Here's a link to the font

Here's a layout I made using it last week