The golden ratio

The golden ratio is a mathematical ratio commonly found in nature. The most famous sequence of numbers that follow the golden ratio is the Fibonacci sequence, where each subsequent number is equal to the sum of the 2 numbers preceding it. The golden ratio is approximately equal to 1:1.618.

The harmony of the golden ratio has been used for centuries in geometry, art, architecture, and typography. Creating pages with the golden ratio results in proportionate and balanced compositions. A common example is a layout with two columns of different sizes as you can see on the National Geographic website. Its clean and organized structure invokes a natural sense of order, balance, and hierarchy.^[1]

The golden ratio isn't the only way to define page elements' sizes and proportions. Other methods include using standard paper sizes or dividing surfaces into halves or squares, among others.[2]