The purpose of this study was to find the optimal stroke width-to-height ratio of the Korean character (Hangeul) which yields the greatest reading distance. In this study, black characters on a white background were used under 200 lux conditions in-doors, with the stroke width-to-height ratios ranging from a very thin 1:125 to heavier 1: 8.3. The criterion was the average reading distance at which three subjects (male university students) having normal visual acuity (1.2) could read the characters. Using the data obtained from the experi- ment, we analyzed the relationship between stroke width-to-height ratio and reading distance. In the case of the black characters on a white background, the greatest reading distances occurred with a range from 1:11.4 to 1:17.9.