Ensure sufficient line height and letter spacing to prevent letters and words from blending together.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) recommends at least:
- 1.5x spacing for line height – this sets the line height to 1.5 times the font size.Â
- 0.12x spacing for letters – this sets the spacing to 0.12 times the font size.
Why?
For users with cognitive disabilities such as dyslexia or visual impairments, appropriate line and text spacing can significantly enhance readability and comprehension.
Some individuals use programs to increase the text size. Ensuring appropriate spacing for line height and letters means the text does not cut off or overlap when zoomed in.
Bonus Tip: Avoid justified paragraph spacing. “I increase the text size 400%. When text is fully justified, it gets big spacing between lots of words and scrunches up other words, making it hard to read.”
How?
Line Height
In Microsoft Word:
- Select the paragraphs you want to change.
- Select the Line and Paragraph Spacing tool in the Home tab of the Ribbon.
- Select a minimum of 1.5.
Good example
Bad example
Letter Spacing
Change the spacing between characters of text in Microsoft Word to help improve readability. Generally, spacing between characters is set to Normal, which is sufficient. If you find your font runs together or you want to adjust the spacing, follow these steps:
- Select the text that you want to change.
- On the Home tab, click the Font dialog box launcher, and then click the Advanced tab.
- In the Spacing box, click Normal or Expanded.
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act:Â All Minnesota State employee electronic documents and course materials must adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards by April 24, 2026. These guidelines provide a comprehensive framework to ensure that content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.
