Weißraum

Weißraum is a term from typography and graphic design that refers to the blank or unmarked areas on a page or screen. It denotes the space not filled with text, images, or other content. Weißraum can be white in color or any background shade; the essential point is that the area is intentionally left empty to shape the composition.

In design, Weißraum serves to create visual breathing room, establish hierarchy, and guide the viewer’s attention. It is implemented through margins, gutters, padding, line height, and the deliberate separation of sections and elements. Designers distinguish macro (external) Weißraum, the larger blank areas around blocks of content, from micro (internal) Weißraum, the spacing within lines and between related elements.

Weißraum is a core concept in editorial design, branding, and digital interfaces. In print, it helps separate articles, images, and captions; in user interfaces, it supports usability by reducing cognitive load and improving scannability. Although it may seem like wasted space, effective Weißraum balances elements, creates rhythm, and emphasizes key components such as headlines, call-to-action buttons, or focal images.

Historically associated with modernist and grid-based design, Weißraum remains a fundamental principle across media. It adapts to different formats and devices, contributing to readability, aesthetic clarity, and a coherent brand perception by ensuring that content appears organized and intentionally arranged.