Visual Design
Line Length
Line length is how wide a column of text runs before it wraps to the next line. It is often measured in characters per line rather than pixels.
Why it matters
Line length has a direct effect on reading comfort. When a line is too wide, the eye struggles to find the start of the next line and loses its place.
In depth
A common guideline is around 45 to 75 characters per line, with roughly 65 being a comfortable target for body text. The term is sometimes called measure, a word inherited from print typography. On large screens, designers cap the width of text columns so lines do not grow uncomfortably long.
Real-world example
A well-set article keeps its text column narrow enough that each line holds a comfortable number of words, rather than stretching edge to edge on a wide screen.
Typography is the craft of arranging type so it is a pleasure to read. A comfortable measure keeps the eye from losing its place.
Related terms