WCAG 1.4.12 Text Spacing
Content must remain readable and functional when a visitor overrides text spacing (line height, paragraph spacing, letter and word spacing) to the values in the success criterion.
Table of contents
What WCAG 1.4.12 Requires
Content must remain readable and functional when a visitor overrides text spacing (line height, paragraph spacing, letter and word spacing) to the values in the success criterion.
How to Test It by Hand
Apply a text-spacing bookmarklet or browser extension that sets the WCAG 1.4.12 spacing values and check nothing is clipped or overlapping.
Common Failures
- A fixed-height container clips text once line height increases.
- Overlapping text appears in a card or button when letter spacing is increased.
Testing WCAG 1.4.12 With AccessBell
AccessBell's scanner runs axe-core, which includes 1 rule that catch code-level failures of this criterion. Automated checks help you spot issues quickly; a person still needs to review what they cannot judge.
avoid-inline-spacing: Ensure that text spacing set through style attributes can be adjusted with custom stylesheets (details (opens in a new tab))
This criterion is included in: WCAG 2.2 AA Checker, WCAG 2.1 AA Checker, ADA Compliance Checker, EN 301 549 Checker.
Run a free scan to spot issues on your own pages.
Related Criteria in Distinguishable
- 1.4.1 Use of Color (Level A, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.2 Audio Control (Level A, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.4 Resize Text (Level AA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.5 Images of Text (Level AA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) (Level AAA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio (Level AAA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.8 Visual Presentation (Level AAA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception) (Level AAA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.10 Reflow (Level AA, WCAG 2.1)
- 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast (Level AA, WCAG 2.1)
- 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus (Level AA, WCAG 2.1)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does WCAG 1.4.12 require?
Content must remain readable and functional when a visitor overrides text spacing (line height, paragraph spacing, letter and word spacing) to the values in the success criterion.
Can AccessBell test WCAG 1.4.12 automatically?
Yes. AccessBell runs 1 automated rule that can catch failures of this criterion, including in our WCAG 2.2 AA Checker, WCAG 2.1 AA Checker, ADA Compliance Checker, EN 301 549 Checker. A person still needs to check what automation cannot judge.
What level is WCAG 1.4.12?
Level AA, added in WCAG 2.1. Level AA is the level referenced by the ADA, Section 508 and most accessibility laws.
Sources
- W3C: Understanding 1.4.12 Text Spacing (opens in a new tab)
- W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 (opens in a new tab)
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