Understanding Letterspace in Typography

Letterspace is the space between words in a line of text. It is also known as word spacing or leading. Letterspace is an important aspect of typography, as it can affect the readability and legibility of text.

In general, letterspace should be set to a value that is appropriate for the font being used, taking into account the x-height of the font, the size of the text, and the amount of space needed between words to make the text easy to read.

Letterspace can be adjusted in desktop publishing software such as Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress, and it can also be adjusted in web design using CSS.

There are several ways to set letterspace in typography, including:

1. Using a fixed value: A fixed value of letterspace can be set in units of inches or centimeters. For example, a common value for letterspace might be 0.25 inches (6.4 mm).
2. Using a percentage: Letterspace can also be set as a percentage of the font size. For example, a value of 100% would result in letterspace that is equal to the font size.
3. Using a ratio: Another way to set letterspace is to use a ratio of the font size to the word space. For example, a ratio of 1:2 would result in letterspace that is twice the size of the font.
4. Automatic letterspacing: Some desktop publishing software and web fonts include automatic letterspacing features that adjust the letterspace based on the text being set. These features can be useful for creating consistent spacing between words without having to manually adjust the letterspace.