Spaltenraster

Spaltenraster, or column grid, is a grid system used in page layout and typographic design to structure content into vertical columns. It provides a consistent framework for aligning text, images, and other elements, enabling predictable line breaks and visual rhythm. A typical Spaltenraster consists of a specified number of columns, a defined column width (Spaltenbreite), a gutter or inter-column space (Spaltenabstand), and page margins. Optional outer grids, baseline grids, and margins may be used to further align typography with vertical rhythm.

Different configurations exist: a simple column grid with equal columns, a modular grid that combines columns and rows for more complex layouts, and a hierarchical grid where the number of columns varies by section to emphasize content. Spaltenraster are foundational in editorial design for newspapers, magazines, books, and brochures, and are also widely used in digital design with CSS grid or multi-column layout to support responsive behavior.

In practice, designers set up a Spaltenraster in a style guide or template, establishing typographic scale, line length, and alignment rules. The goal is to improve readability and efficiency, while allowing flexibility for imagery and pull quotes. While grids can constrain creativity if overused, a well-chosen Spaltenraster supports clear information hierarchy and visual consistency across pages or screens. The term is common in German-speaking typographic contexts and is closely related to broader grid systems in design.