Line Height

The height between lines of text, known as line height, has a profound impact on readability and legibility. Properly adjusting line height is crucial for delivering an optimal reading experience, especially online. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of line height, from understanding its definition and importance to best practices for implementation.

Line height, also known as leading, refers to the vertical distance between successive lines of text. An appropriate line height allows readers to distinguish one line from the next, aiding comprehension. Line height that is too tight or too loose can hinder readability. This article will explain line height in detail, discuss optimal line heights, and provide tips for adjusting line spacing in applications like Microsoft Word.

Understanding Line Height

Before adjusting line height, it is important to understand what it is and why it matters for legibility.

Definition of Line Height

Line height refers to the distance between baselines of successive lines of text. Baseline is the imaginary line where most letters "sit". The space from the baseline of one line to the next is the line height.

Importance of Line Height

Line height is a vital consideration in typography and document design because it directly impacts legibility and reading comfort. The main benefits of optimal line height include:

Prevents lines from appearing crammed together, which can make reading difficult
Allows easier distinction between adjacent lines
Improves tracking or the consistency of letter spacing
Makes paragraphs and blocks of text appear more unified and aesthetically appealing

How Line Height Affects Readability

If line height is too small, descenders (parts of letters like "g" or "y" that extend below the baseline) can overlap ascenders (parts that extend upward like "l" or "k") on the next line. This creates a jumbled effect that reduces clarity. Conversely, if line height is too large, readers may accidentally skip lines. Moderately larger line height can help those with dyslexia or vision impairments.

How to Calculate Line Height

Line height is traditionally calculated as a multiple of the font size. For example, a line height of 1.5 means it is set at 150% of the font size. Line height can also be derived from the x-height of a font, which is the height of lower-case letters like "x". Common line height ratios based on x-height include 1.2x, 1.25x or 1.5x.

Optimal Line Height

So what constitutes the ideal line height? While there are general guidelines, the optimal line height depends on the font, type size, column width, and medium.

Determining Optimal Line Height

The optimal line height strikes a balance between readability and economy of space on the page. To determine the ideal line height:

Evaluate based on typeface and font size. Larger sizes may need more line spacing.
Aim for sufficient space between lines to clearly separate them.
Assess linespacing with sample text at intended size. Does it look too cramped or too loose?
Get feedback from users on what line height they find most readable.

Relationship Between Line Length and Line Height

Line length, or the number of characters per line, also influences optimal line height. Longer lines require more spacing between rows. A good rule of thumb is:

Lines less than 30 characters: Line height of 1.2 to 1.5 x font size
Lines of 30-40 characters: Line height of 1.5 x font size
Lines 40-60 characters: Line height of 1.5 to 1.75 x font size

Adjusting Line Height in Microsoft Word

In Microsoft Word, line height is known as line spacing. To adjust it:

Select text or paragraphs to modify
On the Home tab, click Line Spacing button
Select Add Space Before/After Paragraph to change for just that text
Or, choose exact line spacing like 1.0, 1.5 or Double

Adjusting Line Height in Adobe InDesign

In Adobe InDesign, line height is modified in multiple ways:

Click the Paragraph panel menu
Choose a preset like 1.2x or 1.5x font size
Manually set spacing under "Leading" option
Use Baseline Grid for consistent line heights

Line Height Best Practices

Employing line height best practices creates optimal text readability and visual consistency across platforms.

Line Height Best Practices for Web Design

For web design, the following practices maximize online readability:

Use relative units like em instead of px for responsiveness
Set line height for both body text and headings
Allow sufficient line height on mobile views
Use line height consistently across all webpages

Using Line Height to Improve Readability

Increased line spacing improves readability and comprehension for both online content and print materials. Tips include:

For smaller text, opt for larger line height like 1.5x or 1.75x
Add more line height for text-heavy content like ebooks or academic papers
Use incremental spacing like 1.2x or 1.3x for larger text sizes

Adjusting Line Height for Different Typefaces

Line height should adapt based on the characteristics of the font. Guidelines include:

More spacing for delicate serif fonts like Garamond
Tighter line height for sturdy, bold fonts like Impact
Loosen line spacing for script or handwritten fonts
Set generic fonts like Helvetica conservatively

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about line height:

What is the difference between line height and leading?

Traditionally, leading referred to the strips of lead inserted between lines of metal type to increase spacing. So originally, leading was a physical process, while line height described the visual spacing between lines. Now these terms are used interchangeably.

How is line height measured in CSS?

In CSS, line height is set with the line-height property. It can be specified in pixel or em values, or as a unitless number that acts as a multiplier of the font size.

What is the default line height in Word?

The default line spacing in Microsoft Word is 1.0 or single spaced. This sets the line height to exactly the font size. However, slight increments like 1.1x or 1.15x are generally more readable.

How do I change the line height for a specific paragraph in Word?

To change the line height for only a selected paragraph or text in Word, choose Line Spacing Options and check "Add space before paragraph" or "Add space after paragraph".

What is the optimal line length for readability?

Ideal line length for maximum readability is considered to be 50-60 characters per line, including spaces. However, line height must also be adjusted based on line length.

Conclusion

Line height is a crucial yet often overlooked factor in typography and document design. Appropriate line spacing creates balance between text clarity and efficient use of space on the page or screen. This article has provided an in-depth overview of line height, from its definition and impact on legibility to practical guidelines for implementation in both digital and print media. Adjusting line height, in conjunction with other attributes like font, size and column width, is key to delivering an optimal reading experience.