TypeBalance – Figma Plugin

Why balanced typography is key to readability on any device?

Typography isn’t just about beautiful fonts or stylish headlines. It’s also a way to make text more comfortable and enjoyable to read. Adjusting key settings like letter-spacing (the space between characters) and line-height (the space between lines) can transform your text, making it clearer, more accessible, and visually appealing on any device.

Why is letter-spacing important?

Letter-spacing helps your text “breathe.”

On small screens: Small devices, like smartphones, can make text look cramped. Slightly increasing the space between letters makes it cleaner and easier to read.

For headlines: Wider spacing adds impact and visual appeal to headings, while tight spacing can overwhelm and reduce readability.

On light and dark backgrounds: Text on light backgrounds appears thinner, while on dark backgrounds, it looks bolder. Adjusting the spacing compensates for this optical illusion, making the text feel balanced.

What does proper line-height do?

Line-height ensures that your eyes can glide effortlessly through the text.

Readability across devices: On smaller screens, increasing line-height helps avoid the “cluttered” look and improves focus.

Style and comfort: Proper line-height gives text a sense of “airiness” and makes it more visually appealing. However, too much space can break the flow, so balance is key.

Adjustments for different font sizes: Smaller text benefits from tighter line spacing to keep it tidy, while larger text needs more space to remain readable and elegant.

Balancing letter-spacing and line-height

These settings work hand-in-hand to ensure text feels natural and easy to read.

For headlines: Increase the letter-spacing but keep line-height tighter for a compact, cohesive look.

For body text: Reduce letter-spacing slightly and increase line-height to create a smooth, effortless reading experience.

Conclusion

By fine-tuning letter-spacing and line-height, you can dramatically improve how your text is perceived. These small adjustments make your content readable, engaging, and accessible on any device. Thoughtfully balancing these parameters ensures your typography stands out, helping your text communicate clearly and beautifully.