Line length
Keep lines around 45 to 75 characters for comfortable reading.
See it
- Very long lines at a tiny size
- Too much copy for the space
Why speed matters
Every extra second of load time costs you visitors. Most never say why. They just leave for a faster competitor.
Why it matters
Aim for roughly 45 to 75 characters per line. Very long lines make the eye lose its place when jumping back to the next line, and tiny text makes it worse.
How to apply it
- Set a max-width on text blocks (about 60 to 70ch)
- Increase font size before widening columns
- Use multiple columns only for short content
Common mistakes
- Full-width paragraphs on desktop
- Shrinking text to fit more per line
Quick answers
What is Line length?
Keep lines around 45 to 75 characters for comfortable reading. Aim for roughly 45 to 75 characters per line. Very long lines make the eye lose its place when jumping back to the next line, and tiny text makes it worse.
How do I apply Line length in UI design?
Set a max-width on text blocks (about 60 to 70ch). Increase font size before widening columns. Use multiple columns only for short content.
What are common mistakes with Line length?
Full-width paragraphs on desktop. Shrinking text to fit more per line.