Question 1

What is WCAG 1.4.12 Text Spacing?

Accepted Answer

WCAG 1.4.12 (Text Spacing) is a Level AA success criterion that requires content to remain readable and functional when users apply these minimum spacing values:
      
        Line height (line spacing): At least 1.5 times the font size
        Letter spacing (tracking): At least 0.12 times the font size
        Word spacing: At least 0.16 times the font size
        Paragraph spacing: At least 2 times the font size
      
      This ensures that users who need increased spacing (due to dyslexia, low vision, or other conditions) can customize text without content loss or overlap.

Question 2

Why do some users need increased text spacing?

Accepted Answer

Increased text spacing significantly helps users with:
      
        Dyslexia: Wider spacing reduces visual crowding and letter confusion
        Low vision: More space between lines and words improves tracking
        Cognitive disabilities: Clearer separation aids comprehension
        Reading difficulties: Reduced visual stress and fatigue
        Aging: Natural decline in visual processing benefits from increased spacing
      
      Studies show that proper text spacing can improve reading speed and comprehension by up to 20% for affected users.

Question 3

How do I make my website pass WCAG 1.4.12?

Accepted Answer

To ensure your website handles increased text spacing:
      
        Use relative units: Use em, rem, or % instead of px for spacing
        Avoid fixed heights: Let containers expand with content
        Use min-height: Instead of height for containers with text
        Flexible layouts: Use flexbox or grid instead of absolute positioning
        Test with user stylesheet: Apply WCAG spacing and verify nothing breaks
        Adequate whitespace: Design with generous spacing from the start
        Avoid overflow hidden: Don't hide overflowing text
      
      CSS to test:
      * {
  line-height: 1.5 !important;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em !important;
  word-spacing: 0.16em !important;
}
p { margin-bottom: 2em !important; }

Question 4

What are common failures of WCAG 1.4.12?

Accepted Answer

Common issues that cause text spacing failures:
      
        Fixed height containers: Text overflows or gets cut off
        Absolute positioning: Text overlaps other content
        Pixel-based spacing: Doesn't scale with font size
        Overflow hidden: Content becomes invisible
        Tight layouts: Elements collide when spacing increases
        Fixed width with nowrap: Text can't expand
        Background images with text: Text moves out of readable area
      
      Test your layout by applying the WCAG spacing values and checking for content loss, overlap, or horizontal scrolling.

Question 5

Does this apply to all text on my website?

Accepted Answer

WCAG 1.4.12 applies to most text content, with some exceptions:
      Must comply:
      
        Body text and paragraphs
        Headings and titles
        Navigation links
        Button labels
        Form labels and inputs
        List items
      
      Exempt:
      
        Captions on images or videos
        Text in images (logos, screenshots)
        Text that's part of a logo or brand name
      
      The requirement is that when users override spacing, content must remain readable - you don't have to use these values by default.

Question 6

Can I test this on my production website?

Accepted Answer

Yes! There are several ways to test WCAG 1.4.12 on your live website:
      
        Browser bookmarklet: Create a bookmarklet that applies WCAG spacing via JavaScript
        Browser extension: Use extensions like "Text Spacing Editor" or "WCAG Text Spacing"
        Custom stylesheet: Apply user stylesheet in browser settings with WCAG spacing
        DevTools: Add spacing CSS in browser DevTools and inspect the page
        Automated testing: Use tools like axe DevTools or Pa11y to check compliance
      
      This tool helps you understand the requirements and test sample content before implementing on your site.

Text Spacing Checker – WCAG 1.4.12 Testing

Text Spacing Checker

WCAG 1.4.12

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Text Spacing Checker

WCAG 1.4.12

Common Issues

How to Fix

Why It Matters