Briem’s notes on type design: Numerals and oddments¶
We can make most of the numerals from the same modules that we used for the capitals and the lower case.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-4-07-025.gif)
The shape of the numeral zero is the same as the shape we gave the letter O. The numerals 2 and 5 are easily assembled from curves and straight lines. The numeral 2 looks better if you shift the middle down a bit. And moving the middle the numeral 5 slightly upwards will also help.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-4-07-b83.gif)
The letter B provides what we need for the numerals 8 and 3. The outer shape can be flipped horizontally and joined at the top and the bottom. The numeral 3 can be cut away to match the numeral 2 and the letter c.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-4-07-n69.gif)
With the numeral zero as a starting point, the numerals 6 and 9 hold few surprises. Fetch the diagonal from the letter n.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-4-07-a7.gif)
The diagonal from the letter A makes a respectable middle for the numeral 7.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-4-07-444.gif)
With the diagonal at the standard slant, the numeral 4 looks awkward, just like the letters z and k. Even if you can give the oblique any slant you like, the proportions give you a narrow choice. The counterspace of the narrow numeral on the left is too small. A generous counterspace, as in the numeral on the right makes the shape too wide. I prefer the middle way.
Notes on type design. Copyright © 1998, 2001, 2022 Gunnlaugur SE Briem. All rights reserved. Republished with permission in 2022 by Fontlab Ltd.