Line Height Calculator
Find the perfect line height for your text to improve readability. Adjust the spacing between lines and see a live preview with CSS code.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. This is a sample text to demonstrate different line height values. Multiple lines help visualize the spacing between lines of text.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. This is a sample text to demonstrate different line height values. Multiple lines help visualize the spacing between lines of text.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. This is a sample text to demonstrate different line height values. Multiple lines help visualize the spacing between lines of text.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. This is a sample text to demonstrate different line height values. Multiple lines help visualize the spacing between lines of text.
Tight (1.0 - 1.2)
Best for headlines and short text. Can cause readability issues with longer content. Use sparingly for impact.
Normal (1.4 - 1.6)
Ideal for body text. Provides good balance between readability and space efficiency. Default for most content.
Loose (1.8 - 2.5+)
Great for elegant designs and improved readability. Use for quotes, poetry, or when you want an airy feel.
How the Line Height Generator Works
This tool generates optimal line height (leading) values for any font size. Enter your font size and get recommended line heights for different content types—body text, headings, captions, and more.
Line height is expressed as a unitless multiplier (like 1.5) or in units (px, em, rem). The generator shows both. It calculates the actual pixel spacing so you see exactly how much space appears between lines.
Preview your text with different line heights in real time. Adjust until your content feels comfortable to read. Export CSS-ready values for immediate use in your projects.
When You'd Actually Use This
Setting body text line height
Body text needs comfortable line spacing for extended reading. Use 1.5-1.7 for most content. The tool helps you find the sweet spot between cramped and wasteful.
Tightening heading line height
Headings look better with tighter line height (1.1-1.3). Multi-line headings with loose spacing look awkward. Generate appropriate values for each heading level.
Creating a typography system
Your design system needs consistent line heights. Generate a scale that pairs with your type scale—tighter for large text, looser for small text.
Improving readability for older audiences
Older readers need more line spacing. Increase line height to 1.7-1.8 for better readability. The tool shows exactly how much extra space this creates.
Optimizing for mobile screens
Mobile reading often benefits from slightly looser line height. Generate values that work well on small screens where eyes track shorter line lengths.
Fixing text that feels "off"
Your content feels hard to read but you can't pinpoint why. Often it's line height. Test different values—small changes make big differences in readability.
What to Know Before Using
Use unitless line height values.Unitless values (1.5 not 24px) scale properly when font size changes. This is crucial for responsive design and accessibility.
Larger fonts need tighter line height.As font size increases, line height multiplier should decrease. A 48px heading might use 1.2, while 16px body uses 1.6.
Line length affects ideal line height.Longer lines need more line height. If your content has wide measure (60+ characters), increase line height for easier eye tracking.
Different fonts need different spacing.Fonts with tall ascenders/descenders need more line height. Compact fonts can go tighter. Always preview with your actual font choice.
Pro tip: The "squint test" works for line height. Squint at your text—if lines blur together, increase line height. If there are obvious gaps, decrease it.
Common Questions
What's the default line height?
Browsers default to about 1.2 (normal). This is too tight for body text. Most content looks better at 1.5-1.7. Always override the default for body content.
Should I use px or unitless for line height?
Always use unitless (1.5) for line height. Pixel values don't scale when users change font size. Unitless values multiply by the current font size automatically.
What's the difference between line-height and leading?
Same concept, different terms. "Leading" (pronounced ledding) is the traditional typography term. "Line height" is the CSS property. They both control vertical space between lines.
Does line height affect accessibility?
Yes, significantly. WCAG recommends at least 1.5 for body text. Users with dyslexia or low vision often need 1.7-2.0. Don't set line height too tight.
How does line height work with flexbox?
Line height affects inline content height, which affects flex item sizing. Unexpected gaps in flex layouts often trace back to line height. Use align-items to control.
Can line height be negative?
Technically yes, but don't do it. Negative line height causes lines to overlap, making text unreadable. It's occasionally used for visual tricks, never for actual content.
What about line height for code blocks?
Code benefits from 1.4-1.6 line height. Monospace fonts often need slightly more space than proportional fonts. Test with your actual code samples.
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