Klarabstand

Klarabstand is a German compound noun formed from klar meaning clear and Abstand meaning distance. In general usage, the term denotes a distance that ensures clarity, either in perception, comprehension, or separation, and it is employed across several fields without representing a single fixed standard.

In visual, design, and signage contexts, Klarabstand is used to describe the distance at which text or symbols remain legible and distinguishable. Guidelines in typography and display design often relate font size, contrast, and viewing distance to an implied Klarabstand to maintain readability for viewers at typical viewing angles and positions. The term can inform recommendations for font sizing, line length, and sign placement in public spaces.

In safety and traffic-related discussions, Klarabstand can refer to a minimum unobstructed distance necessary to observe, react, or navigate safely. While not universally codified as an official term in German traffic law, it appears in guidelines and practical discussions about sightlines, braking distances, and the visual separation between moving and stationary elements.

In architecture and urban planning, Klarabstand may guide the spacing of storefronts, windows, signage, and façade elements to preserve legibility and visual coherence within streetscapes. It can also be used rhetorically to describe the needed psychological or cognitive distance that supports clear communication in media and public discourse.

See also: Sichtweite, Abstandsregeln, Lesbarkeit, Mindestabstand.