Bilingual English and Chinese layouts work when you treat each language as its own typographic system rather than swapping text into an English template. Chinese characters are set in a square frame, carry more strokes per character and follow their own punctuation rules, so size, spacing and hierarchy usually need adjusting. Plan the layout around both languages from the start.
Start with the right questions
- Which Chinese audience is it for? Simplified Chinese is used in mainland China, and Traditional Chinese in Taiwan and Hong Kong, with different conventions in each.
- Which language leads? The answer sets your hierarchy.
- Will the text be set horizontally (most digital and marketing work) or vertically (some print)?
These decisions belong in the brief, alongside the points in localisation versus translation.
Type: size, weight and font choice
Chinese glyphs are visually dense. At the same point size as English, they often look larger and heavier, or become hard to read if the strokes are thin. Test both at real size, and adjust so the two scripts feel balanced rather than identical on paper.
Practical rules:
- Use fonts designed for the language. Do not rely on fallback. A font without Chinese glyphs makes the system substitute one unpredictably.
- Pair, do not mix at random. Choose one English typeface and one Chinese typeface with a similar tone, for example both clean and neutral.
- Avoid faux bold and faux italic on Chinese. Italics are not a native Chinese convention; use weight or colour for emphasis instead.
- Keep weights few. Two or three weights per script are enough.
- Avoid very small sizes. Dense strokes lose clarity first.
Spacing and line length
Latin text relies on word spaces; Chinese does not use them, and lines can break between most characters. Give Chinese slightly more line height than English so dense lines stay readable. Keep line lengths moderate. W3C’s Chinese layout requirements note that, in horizontal writing, alphanumerics keep their normal orientation (W3C Requirements for Chinese Text Layout). In vertical setting, the same document gives different treatments for single letters, longer Latin words and short numbers.
Punctuation
W3C says Chinese text containing Western content should generally use Chinese punctuation, with exceptions for technical or formula-heavy material. It also notes regional differences: Taiwan and Hong Kong usually centre punctuation in the character frame, while mainland China places it toward the preceding text. Ask a native-speaking reviewer to check punctuation, not only wording.
Hierarchy in a two-language layout
| Approach | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Side by side, equal weight | Signage, menus, bilingual notices | Crowding, doubled width |
| Primary language large, second smaller | One main audience | The smaller language looks like an afterthought |
| Separate pages or panels | Websites, brochures | Duplicate maintenance |
| Switchable versions | Apps, websites | Each version needs full layout testing |
Whichever you choose, align baselines where lines pair up, keep consistent margins, and let text boxes grow. Chinese text is often shorter in characters but not always shorter in visual width, and English translations can run longer, so avoid fixed-width buttons.
Tag the language in code
On the web, add a language attribute to elements containing another language. W3C’s guidance says this allows you to style or process that content differently (W3C language declarations). Its example uses zh-Hans on a span around Chinese text. Combined with a font stack, this helps the browser pick the right glyphs and line-breaking behaviour. Test on a real phone.
Brand consistency
Your logo, colours and layout grid should survive in both languages. Decide whether the Chinese name is a transliteration, a translation or a separate creative name, and document it with the visual rules in consistent visual identity across channels. Our overview of launching a brand across English and Chinese markets covers the naming and channel choices around that.
A final checklist
- Chinese variant and region confirmed.
- Fonts licensed for the use and with full glyph coverage.
- Punctuation checked by a native reviewer.
- Text boxes flexible for both languages.
- Language attributes set in code.
- Proofed at final size on the real device or print stock.
Where Radiance Impact fits
Radiance Impact works in English and Chinese, and its Global division covers localisation and adaptation. If you need bilingual design and content adapted rather than just translated, see /global/localisation or contact us.
Sources
- Requirements for Chinese Text Layout, W3C
- Declaring language in HTML, W3C Internationalization
