For users who need more space between letters, words, or lines, cramped text can make reading a real challenge.
Text Spacing makes sure users can adjust how text is spaced, ensuring everything stays readable and comfortable.
Who this impacts
- People with low vision: Increasing spacing between text elements makes it easier to read.
- People with cognitive impairments: Adequate spacing helps break up content, making it less overwhelming and easier to focus on.
- Mobile users: Small screens benefit from adjustable spacing, helping users read comfortably even in tight spaces.
- All users: Having control over text spacing can make reading easier and more comfortable for everyone.
How to meet Text Spacing
Support four key spacing adjustments:
- Line height: Users should be able to set line spacing (line height) to at least 1.5 times the font size.
- Paragraph spacing: Allow users to set the spacing between paragraphs to at least 2 times the font size.
- Letter spacing (tracking): Users should be able to adjust letter spacing to at least 0.12 times the font size.
- Word spacing: Allow users to set word spacing to at least 0.16 times the font size.
Maintain readability and functionality:
- Ensure that adjusting the text spacing doesn’t cause any content or functionality to be lost, cut off, or overlapped.
Test with custom spacing settings:
- Regularly test your content with different spacing adjustments to ensure everything reflows and remains usable.
Practical example
Our Catbook site allows users to increase the space between lines, words, and paragraphs using browser extensions or built-in accessibility settings, without causing the text or content to overlap or break the layout.
Exceptions
Certain content that depends on specific formatting, such as poems or complex diagrams, may be exempt if adjusting the spacing would alter the content’s meaning or structure.
Top tips
- Design for flexibility: Use relative units for font size and spacing to allow for smooth adjustments when users increase spacing.
- Test at different spacing levels: Check that content remains readable and functional when users apply custom text spacing.
- Consider user feedback: Gather input from users who need text adjustments to ensure your site remains accessible when spacing is modified.