Is black text on white background the best, or is it just because we're used to seeing it on paper?

Question

I feel like my eyes are going to explode looking at these bright pages all day. (I know, I should spend less time on the pc.) But wouldn't it be easier on the eyes to be reading white text on black backgrounds, instead of the other way around? Do webdesigners just use black text on white backgrounds because people are so used to reading it that way with paper? Or is it to make the page seem brighter? (no offense, but I'd be more appreciative if they made it more health-conscious as opposed to being bright and flashy -- just like businesses to go after our most primal instincts.)

Here's why I think white on black would be better:
Your eyes work harder to view light (white is all light, black is no light at all.) So if 99% of the screen is filled with white light, aren't your eyes working pretty hard? If the screen was 99% black then you wouldn't have to work as hard to see the text. In fact, if you go to Windows settings to increase colors for the visually-impaired, it switches everything to bright text on dark background -- the only problem is it only switches Windows elements, it has no control over webpages.

And people who say you should leave the light on when you're on the computer, I think that's a myth too. The security surveillance office at wal-mart was always dark, so they could see the screens better (the head of security told us.)

Answer 1

Web designers are for the most part very young. I doubt that many of them have to wear glasses, let along bifocals. It will hit them when they turn 40 and have to crane their necks to read the screen.

Black on white is widely accepted, however for computer purposes, I, too, find my eyes irritated after a couple of hours. My opthamologist tells me that when we stare at the computer screen, we do not realize that we are not blinking. This causes the eyes to dry and itch. He said to use unmedicated, over the counter moisture drops at regular intervals. Additionally, we should take at least a 5 minute break every hours and look off into the distance.

With that said, I agree with other answerer. I have reduced the glare on my PC by changing the background to a very light gray.
Right-cl on the desktop. Select Appearance. Change the color a bit. See if this helps.

Answer 2

The most common cause of this complaint: REFRESH RATE IS SET TOO LOW FOR YOUR MONITOR.

This is a common symptom that occurs from the refresh rate for your monitor being set too low. If you move the refresh rate on your monitor up to the maximum your monitor is capable of at the screen resolution you're using, it will greatly reduce eye strain and make reading easier. Hopefully you have a decent, modern monitor. If you can't figure out how to do this, have someone help you.

On Windows XP you'd do the following:

Start ---> Control Panel ---> Display ---> Settings Tab ---> Advanced button ---> Monitor Tab

Then click "hide modes your monitor cannot display" and move the refresh rate up to maximum. To double check, you can check the maximum refresh rate for your monitor at particular screen resolutions by going to the manufacturer's website.

Two other things to do are to properly set your screen contrast and brightness settings.

If you're using some ancient piece of crap for a monitor that can't display at high refresh rates, it's time to get a new one if you're having problems reading. Continuing to look at screens with a low refresh rate can cause eye fatigue and strain and can eventually cause bad eyesight.

As far as your argument is concerned, this used to be correct and was the reason why default ancient displays used to be black background with green letters. But now that monitors have improved and refresh rates are higher, it's easier to see black on white for the same reason that books are published with black letters on bleached white paper. Get a good monitor and move that refresh rate up!

Answer 3

Black text on white is best to see. White text on black background would be very hard to read and it will hurt ur eyes even more. What you can do is decrease the brightness of your screen a little bit until its comfortable for you. That helps.

Answer 4

"I feel like my eyes are going to explode looking at these bright pages all day."
Then fix your monitor. Reduce the brightness on the monitor or something.

"But wouldn't it be easier on the eyes to be reading white text on black backgrounds, instead of the other way around?"
No, that would increase the contrast. You want reduced contrast not increased. Sometimes it's done with black background and colored text (like blue, green). Sometimes it's an offwhite color like grey, cream, etc. and black or colored text like dark blue.

"Do webdesigners just use black text on white backgrounds because people are so used to reading it that way with paper?"
It's the most readable across the population. It has enough readability for people with poorer vision and isn't too high a contrast.

Answer 5

I think it looks best bound. A really good one I saw was bound and organized into sections. Each section had a theme and at the beginning of each section they told a little bit about it. The portfolio had a lot of variety--some ads, some illustration stuff, work with typesetting and I don't remember what else. She was a senior graphic design or commercial art major, I don't remember which. Because it was well organized it looked very professional and made her look organized and competent and because it had variety it showed off all her different skills. Just some ideas, best of luck to you!

Answer 6

It's easier to read when it is black over white. Just make sure you are in a well lite area when looking at the pc monitor. You could turn down the brightness on the monitor as well.

Answer 7

the only reason people do that is because black and white are opposite colors. reading black print on white paper could be easier than reading blue print on yellow paper. i think that black text on a white background is definitely the best if u don't want the reader to be distracted from what they are trying to read

Answer 8

black an white have a high contrast so they are easy to see together and i dont think that white on black would be better because we are so used to seeing white paper but maybe black on another light color would be good like lavender baby blue or yellow

Answer 9

I think black text is easier on the eyes, . But it may be because I'm used to seeing it that way.

Answer 10

that makes a lot more sense to me. i've never thought about that. I'm the same way. any free time i get i play on the pc. but you could also turn the brightness of the screen down. this may help.