Headstone Letter Size Guide

Lettering size decides how readable a headstone is from the path. Too small and visitors must crouch to read it; too large and the stone feels crowded. These typical sizes help you plan.

Typical letter heights

These are guides, not rules — the stone's size and the number of lines matter most.

Create a clear hierarchy

The name should be the largest line, then dates, then the epitaph. Bold capitals suit names; italic or script suits short epitaphs. See headstone fonts and lettering styles.

Spacing matters

• Leave space between lines — about half the letter height.
• Keep a margin of at least 1.5–2 inches from the edges.
• Don't fill every inch — empty space makes lettering easier to read.

See headstone layout tips.

Readability tips

• On grey granite, painted or dark-filled lettering reads best.
• On black granite, white or gold lettering stands out.
• Very thin script fonts can be hard to read at small sizes.
• See how many words fit on a headstone.

Letter size on companion and family stones

Wider stones change the maths. On a companion headstone, the shared surname is often the largest line — 3 inches or more — with each first name around 2 inches beneath. Family monuments carry the surname even larger, sometimes 4–6 inches, because they're read from further away. Individual markers in the same lot then use smaller lettering. Whatever the size, keep fonts consistent across the family so later additions match. If you're unsure, view a full-size printout of the layout outdoors; what looks large on a screen often looks small in a cemetery.

Key Takeaways

• Names are usually 2–3 inches tall on uprights.
• Use size to create a clear hierarchy.
• Leave space between lines and around edges.
• Contrast and font choice affect readability.

Next Step

Try sizes and layouts in the Design Studio.