Changing the Font Size with LaTeX
LaTeX is the de facto startdand for technical writing. It is used to create the majority of papers, dissertations, and books on technical areas such as engineering, computer science, and mathematics. Other areas are also using latex for its advantages over desktop publishing systems and word processors.
To use latex effectively, one needs to learn how to use the commands of the language -- which is not difficult, if you practice just a little.
Font Size Code
The font size code in latex are straightforward. As any latex commands, they start with a backslash. There are several size levels, starting from tiny up to huge.
However, font sizes in LaTeX are relative to the current default font size in use in the document. For example, if you define 12pt as the default font size, then normal size will be 12pt and large size will be some number larger than 12pt. As most things in a latex document, it depends on what the original page designer decided to be a good fit for the document style.
The Levels of Font Resizing
There is one level of size for each of the following:
- \normalsize: this is the font used as the standand. In the article style, it is usually 10pt.
- \large: this is the first level of larger font size in latex. It is just a few points larger than the default.
- \Large: a little bit larger than \large
- \LARGE: this is even larger than \Large
- \huge: a huge size, according to the defaults for the document
- \Huge: this is the largest size that is normally available
On the opposite direction of decreasing sizes, we have
- \small: a little smaller than the default
- \tiny: a really small font size
With these commands, you can start changing font sizes as necessary. However, remember that font size should be changed only when necessary, to avoid clutering of your document style.
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