How to lead type for maximum readability?

Leading in Typography: A Guide

Leading in typography is an important concept to understand if you are a designer, typographer, or anyone who works with type.

It is the space between lines of type, and it can have a huge impact on the readability and overall look of your design.

Learning how to use leading correctly can help you create beautiful, readable designs.

Understand the basics of leading. Leading is the space between lines of type, and it is measured in points. The default leading for most typefaces is 120% of the type size, so if you are using 12pt type, the leading should be 14.4pt.
Adjust the leading as needed. Depending on the typeface and the design, you may need to adjust the leading to make the type more readable or to create a certain look. If the type is too close together, it can be difficult to read, so you may need to increase the leading. If the type is too far apart, it can look too spread out, so you may need to decrease the leading.
Be aware of the relationship between type size and leading. As the type size increases, the leading should also increase. This will help keep the type readable and prevent it from looking too cramped.

Let’s say you are designing a poster for a concert.

You have chosen a typeface that is 12pt, and the default leading is 14.4pt.

You decide to adjust the leading to 16pt to make the type more readable.

You also decide to increase the leading to 18pt for the title of the poster, as it is larger than the body type.

This will help keep the title readable and give it a more dynamic look.

Now let’s say you are designing a website.

You have chosen a typeface that is 10pt, and the default leading is 12pt.

You decide to adjust the leading to 14pt to make the type more readable.

You also decide to increase the leading to 16pt for the headings, as they are larger than the body type.

This will help keep the headings readable and give them a more dynamic look.