Parentheses, Braces and Brackets

The character set of a typeface includes a broad range of punctuation marks. Among them are parentheses, braces and brackets. These three pairs of symbols all serve to enclose additional information – words, numbers or symbols – generally not essential to the meaning of the sentence or paragraph. Although all three marks share this function, they have specialized usages as well.

In terms of form, these marks are typically designed to harmonize with the letters and numerals in a given typeface. They can be single weight, monostroke glyphs; swelled forms with thicker middles; or curved strokes with thickened tops and/or bottoms. Brackets tend to be the most straightforward in terms of design; braces are generally somewhat more distinctive and sometimes a bit elaborate.

Parentheses are the most common of the three, and are used to enclose, or set off, information that is explanatory, qualifying or merely incidental. Items generally set off by parentheses include: abbreviations and acronyms, area codes and time zones, as well as numbered or lettered lists or rankings. A parenthetical phrase can be used in the middle of a sentence or at the end, directly preceding the period. If the parenthetical statement is a complete thought (its own sentence), then it commonly follows the period.

Brackets are commonly used to set off additional material within a parenthetical phrase, as a way to avoid the “nesting” of parentheses. Brackets are also used to enclose explanations or comments by an author, editor or publisher; to note a definition, translation or pronunciation; to clarify an omission; and to provide the source of a quotation. They appear in mathematics and chemistry, as well as in programming languages.

Braces, also referred to as curly brackets, are a more decorative form of bracket. They have specialized usages in several fields: in general text to indicate sets; in mathematics; in poetry and music to mark repeats or joined lines; and in programming languages to enclose groups of statements. Braces are also popular as oversized graphic elements. In this decorative usage, the information enclosed may be central {such as the names of a bride and groom} rather than incidental.

Design tip: Parentheses, braces and brackets should be centered vertically next to the text they enclose. In most typefaces, these marks are designed to center vertically on the lowercase x-height. If you are enclosing all caps, or lining figures, the marks may need to be raised slightly.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Additional information regarding Monotype’s trademarks is available at monotype.com/legal. Fontology is a trademark of Monotype Imaging and may be registered in certain jurisdictions.

• Editor’s Note:Ilene Strizver, founder of The Type Studio, is a typographic consultant, designer and writer specializing in all aspects of typographic communication. She conducts Gourmet Typography workshops internationally. Read more about typography in her latest literary effort, Type Rules! The designer's guide to professional typography, 4th edition, published by Wiley & Sons, Inc. This article was commissioned and approved by Monotype Imaging Inc.