Line length is the horizontal extent of a text line. Keeping lines shorter helps readers track where their eyes should move, especially when reading visualizations or other dense pages. section 5.5.1
Use line length as part of a larger readability system:
- Limit line length and add space between lines and paragraphs so readers can keep their place. section 5.5.1
- Prefer shorter lines when designing for inclusive reading; this can help people with dyslexia as well as everyone else. section 5.5.2
- Treat line length alongside justification: forcing every line to the same width can create distracting white-space rivers or overly compressed words. section 5.5.1
A more trackable visualization
A visualization with shorter text lines, generous line spacing, and extra paragraph spacing gives readers clearer visual cues about where to continue reading than a tightly packed block. section 5.5.1
