Headings that help someone find their place

By Gyata Tabiri · Revised November 2, 2026

A heading should help someone choose where to spend their attention. If the titles say little on their own, increasing their size will not give the page a clearer argument.

Read the outline without the paragraphs

“Overview,” “Solution,” and “Results” can organize a short case study. In a longer document, they may leave the reader unsure which section answers a particular question. I would read the headings alone and ask what someone could reasonably infer from that sequence.

Settle the relationship before the size

A major section and a supporting point need different ranks because they play different roles. CSS can give either the visual treatment the design needs. Choosing a heading level because its default size looks convenient lets typography make an information-architecture decision.

Use a weak outline to question the content

If two sections seem to need the same title, they may repeat the same argument. If one heading has almost nothing beneath it, it may not need a section at all. The outline is useful before coding because it exposes these questions while the content is still easy to rearrange.

Test navigation as well as appearance

Headings support different ways of moving through a page, including assistive-technology navigation. Inspecting the sequence helps reveal skipped relationships or labels that depend too much on surrounding imagery. The visual hierarchy should reinforce that structure rather than contradict it.

A useful heading repays the attention it asks for. It gives enough information to decide whether to read on, skip ahead, or return later.

Read alongside: Finding an argument before arranging slides · When a topic deserves its own section.

Reference: W3C heading guidance.