Kerning Is the Space Between Two Letters
To kern is to adjust the spacing between particular letters. The word comes from metal type.
To kern is to adjust the space between two particular letters so the word looks evenly set. In metal type a *kern* was the part of a letter overhanging its own body, so that an f or a j could sit closer to its neighbour. Adjusting those overhangs was the typesetter's craft, and the word carried into digital fonts. Kerning is not the same as tracking, which adjusts spacing across a whole run of text rather than between one pair.
- To adjust letter spacing. *Kern the pair.*
- An overhanging part of type. *A kern.*
- Kerning — the practice. *Good kerning.*
- Tracking — overall spacing. *Tracking.*
- French — *carne*, a projecting angle. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | kern | Kerning. |
| Noun | kern | A kern. |
| Noun | kerning | Kerning. |
| Related | tracking | Tracking. |
| Related | leading | Leading. |
- The pair needs kerning.Typography.
- A kern overhung the body.Metal type.
- Tracking spaces a whole line.Distinction.
Typographic spacing terms
- Kerning — the space between one specific pair of letters
- Tracking — spacing applied evenly across a run of text
- Leading — the vertical space between lines, named after lead strips
- Sidebearing — the built-in space on each side of a character
- Ligature — two letters joined into a single form
French *carne*, a projecting angle, from Latin *cardo*, a hinge, referring to the overhanging part of a metal type.
What is the difference between kerning and tracking?
Kerning adjusts the space between one specific pair of letters. Tracking adjusts spacing evenly across a whole run of text.
Why is line spacing called leading?
Because strips of lead were inserted between lines of metal type to separate them.