What is Leading?

Leading refers to the vertical space between lines of type, measured from baseline to baseline. This term originated from the days of typesetting when strips of lead were used to create space between lines of text. Proper leading can greatly enhance the readability and aesthetics of text, allowing for a comfortable flow of reading.

In design and typography, adjusting leading allows graphic designers to create a balance between text density and white space, which impacts how the viewer interacts with the text. When leading is too tight, lines can appear crowded, whereas too much leading can create a disjointed reading experience. Thus, understanding and applying the correct amount of leading is essential for effective text layout and design.

The other options pertain to different concepts in typography. For instance, spacing between characters is known as kerning, while alignment involves positioning text within a defined space. Uniform spacing between words relates to tracking, which adjusts the space across a range of characters. Each of these terms highlights distinct aspects of text formatting that contribute to overall design, but leading specifically pertains to the space between lines.