Which term is used to adjust the space between two adjacent characters to improve alignment?

Which term is used to adjust the space between two adjacent characters to improve alignment?

• A. Kerning
• B. Tracking
• C. Leading
• D. Horizontal scaling

Answer: (A)

Kerning is the adjustment of space between two adjacent characters to improve optical alignment. In typography, different letters have varying side bearings, so the default gaps can look uneven. By tightening or widening the space between a specific pair, the word appears more balanced and readable, especially in headlines or logos where precision matters. Tracking, by contrast, changes the overall spacing across a range of characters rather than just a single pair. Leading refers to vertical distance between lines of text. Horizontal scaling alters the width of the characters themselves, not the space between them.

Kerning is the adjustment of space between two adjacent characters to improve optical alignment. In typography, different letters have varying side bearings, so the default gaps can look uneven. By tightening or widening the space between a specific pair, the word appears more balanced and readable, especially in headlines or logos where precision matters.

Tracking, by contrast, changes the overall spacing across a range of characters rather than just a single pair. Leading refers to vertical distance between lines of text. Horizontal scaling alters the width of the characters themselves, not the space between them.