Definition of Leading
Leading (pronounced "ledding") refers to the vertical space between lines of text. The term originates from the days of metal typesetting, where strips of lead were inserted between lines to increase spacing.
In digital design and web development, leading is controlled by the line-height property in CSS.
Why Leading Matters
Proper leading improves readability, reduces eye strain, and enhances the visual hierarchy of your content. Too little leading makes text feel cramped; too much can break the connection between lines.
Interactive Demo
Adjust the slider below to see how different leading values affect this paragraph:
CSS Best Practices
Use unitless line-height values (e.g., line-height: 1.5;) for better inheritance and scalability across font sizes.
A common rule of thumb: for body text, a line height between 1.4 and 1.6 usually provides optimal readability.