leftaligned

Leftaligned, or left-aligned, describes text that is aligned to the left margin with a ragged right edge. It is the standard alignment for most left-to-right languages, such as English and Spanish, and is widely used in books, articles, emails, and user interfaces. It contrasts with justified alignment, which adjusts spacing to create a straight right edge, as well as with right-aligned and centered alignment.

In typography and digital design, left alignment means syncing the left edges of all lines. In CSS this effect is achieved with text-align: left; in word processors it is typically the default or available via an alignment control. Left-aligned text supports natural line breaks and hyphenation, and is often considered easier to read in long passages because spacing is more consistent from line to line.

For accessibility and layout, left alignment is commonly preferred for continuous text in left-to-right scripts, as it provides a stable starting edge, predictable reading flow, and better compatibility with resizing and reflow. In multilingual or mixed-direction content, left alignment can be used for blocks of LTR content within RTL interfaces or for code blocks and sidebars that require a fixed left edge.

Alternatives include right-aligned, centered, or justified text. The term leftaligned may appear in typography discussions, CSS code, or file names where a left-aligned block is referenced.