Classification is the act of dividing up different styles of [type](/glossary/type) design, usually by genre or historical period, for more meaningful description and/or browsing.

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![The uppercase M character rendered in a variety of typefaces from different style classifications, intended to be reminiscent of filters used in web font delivery services.](images/thumbnail.svg)

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For a detailed look at classifications broken down by genre and historical period, please read our article [“Making sense of typographic classifications.”](/lesson/making_sense_of_typographic_classifications)