Graphic designLesson 3 of 3 in the course Typography

Typography Leading: Measurement, Readability, and Layout

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

Save course
Lesson progress
0 / 5

Your progress is kept in this browser only.Sign up to save it

Summary

Leading is the vertical spacing between lines of type. Understanding how it is measured helps explain why text can feel open, crowded, or easy to follow.

Leading refers to the space between adjacent lines of type, though the exact definition can vary by context. In traditional typesetting, it describes the extra space added between lines beyond the type itself.

All flashcards

What is leading?
Leading is the vertical spacing between adjacent lines of type. In traditional measurement, it is the difference between type size and the distance from one baseline to the next.
What does “10 on 12 pt” mean?
It means 10-point type with 12 points between successive baselines. The resulting leading is 2 points.
What is a baseline?
A baseline is the imaginary line on which a line of type sits. The distance between baselines helps establish line spacing.
Why is leading pronounced “ledding”?
The term comes from strips of lead inserted between lines of metal type, so its pronunciation follows the name of the metal.
What terms might software use for leading?
Professional page-layout software commonly uses *leading*. Consumer word processors often use *line spacing* or *interline spacing*.

Quiz questions

  1. What can happen when leading is excessive?Answer: Readers must move their eyes farther between lines, weakening continuity.
  2. Why is consistent leading often used across pages in a book?Answer: It helps keep lines on the front and reverse sides vertically aligned.
  3. In CSS, 12-point text has a line-height of 14 points. How is the extra 2 points distributed as half-leading?Answer: One point above and one point below the glyphs.
  4. What does negative leading do in digital typesetting?Answer: Sets lines closer together than the type size would ordinarily allow.
  5. In bastard-font notation, what does 10/12 specify?Answer: A 10-point face on a 12-point body.

Based on the Wikipedia article Leading, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

More in Graphic design

All Graphic design lessons
Graphic designColor Theory: History, Mixing, Perception, and Design5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Graphic designRGB Color in Digital Imaging: Mixing, Encoding, and Color Management5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Graphic designTypography: Typeface Terminology, Styles, Production, and Design5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →Graphic designKerning: Principles, Digital Values, and Typesetting5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →