Content must survive increased text spacing

Rule text-spacing · Deeper checks · impact moderate · Live only (static → incomplete)

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Why it matters#

Users with dyslexia and low vision override text spacing for readability. Containers with fixed heights and clipped overflow can cut text off when spacing increases. Confirming this needs to apply the spacing and re-measure, so it runs live.

How to fix#

Avoid fixed heights on text containers; use min-height and allow content to grow.

Example#

<div style="height:20px;overflow:hidden;line-height:20px">Two lines of text here</div>

<div style="min-height:20px;line-height:1.5">Two lines of text here</div>

WCAG success criteria#

1.4.12 Text Spacing — Level AA#

Content must survive user-applied increases to line height, paragraph, letter, and word spacing without clipping.

Understanding 1.4.12

Standards#

This rule contributes to the following standards:

WCAG AA EN 301 549

References#

• WCAG — Text Spacing