FrontendHaltPerformance·Advanced·Conceptual·1 min read
When does a variable font help or hurt performance?
Short interview answer
It helps when a site uses several weights or widths, since one variable file is smaller than many static files and covers the whole range. It can hurt if the site uses only one weight, since a single-weight static file is smaller than the full variable axis.
Key takeaway
Explain the underlying mental model clearly, then support it with a concrete example and its trade-offs.