Satzspiegel

Satzspiegel is the central typographic area on a page, defined as the rectangle inside the margins that contains the main text block. The term dates from traditional German typography and is often translated as "type area" in English. It excludes outer margins, gutters, headers, footers, captions, and other matter placed outside the text block, though in practice the exact boundary can be subject to design conventions.

The size and shape of the Satzspiegel are determined by page format, binding method, and editorial goals. Designers calculate a suitable width and height to produce readable line lengths and balanced margins. On facing pages, the inner margin (gutter) must accommodate binding, while the outer margin supports a comfortable reading edge and any running heads. The Satzspiegel also defines where typographic features such as section titles appear.

Common guidelines aim for legible line lengths, often described in characters per line, typically around 50–75 characters depending on type size and font. The ratio of text area to page area varies by genre and era, but the aim is to balance readability with aesthetic rhythm.

In modern typography, the concept persists in print and digital layouts as the "type area"; it guides constraints for layout grids, column structures, and responsive design. The term remains fundamental in editorial and typographic practice in German-speaking publishing.