Setting line spacing

Setting line spacing

Introduction
	The amount of white space between lines in a text is called leading. It is probably more important than font size or type in the readability of text.

Guidelines

Here are some guidelines to follow when you set the leading for lines:

Increase leading to make a small font easier to read.
Use a serif font if a text has very narrow leading which cannot be increased. The serifs help the reader's eyes not to skip lines.

Tip:

Most word processing programs have a default leading which is appropriate for each font size. Most will allow you to change the leading. It may be called “line spacing.”

Context for this page:

Task module: Setting line spacing
In task module: Formatting computer text
In task module: Formatting printed materials
In task module: Designing printed materials
In task module: Producing printed materials, by Anne Klaassens (contributor), Robin Rempel (contributor), Trudy K. Stewart (general editor, contributor), Leah B. Walter (contributor), Glenys Waters (contributor), Diane Wroge (contributor), and Adelle R. Walter (illustrator)
In task module: Developing instructional materials, by Trudy K. Stewart, Leah B. Walter (contributor), and Trudi C. Hunt (contributor)
In task module: Developing an instructional program, by Kenneth A. Boothe (contributor), Patricia M. Davis (contributor), Trudy K. Stewart (general editor), Leah B. Walter (contributor), Glenys Waters (contributor), and Adelle R. Walter (illustrator)
In task module: Implementing a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler)
In modular book: Implement a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler) and Leah B. Walter (compiler)
In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 16 February 1999