Pixel, Bitmap, Digital, Screen and similar
Pixel fonts, also known as bitmap fonts or screen fonts, are fonts that are designed to be displayed at a small size, typically 8-16 pixels. They were popular in the early days of computing and video game consoles, where low-resolution displays made it difficult to display standard fonts clearly. Pixel fonts are created by designing each character as a grid of pixels, rather than using curves and vectors like traditional fonts. This allows them to be displayed clearly on low-resolution screens, but they can appear blocky or pixelated at larger sizes.
Digital fonts, on the other hand, are designed to be displayed on digital screens at various sizes. They are created using vector graphics, which allows them to be scaled up or down without losing clarity. Unlike pixel fonts, digital fonts can use curves and other design elements to create more intricate and detailed characters. Digital fonts can also include features like ligatures, kerning, and alternate character sets that enhance their appearance and readability.
In summary, pixel fonts are designed for low-resolution screens and are created using pixels, while digital fonts are designed for digital screens and are created using vector graphics. Both types of fonts have their own unique strengths and weaknesses and are suited for different applications.