raggedcolumns

Raggedcolumns refers to a multi-column text layout in which the columns do not share a uniform bottom alignment; the bottom edges of the columns are uneven, producing a ragged edge along the column group. The term is used in print design and digital typesetting to describe a decision to not balance content vertically across columns, often for editorial or fitting constraints. It is distinct from ragged-right text alignment, which affects line endings within each column rather than column heights.

Ragged columns frequently occur when a layout uses a fixed column height and the content cannot be evenly distributed, or when the typesetting system is instructed to fill columns sequentially rather than balancing. In newspapers and magazines, ragged columns may be used to minimize vertical whitespace or to accommodate illustrations or advertisements that interrupt the flow. In beamer or LaTeX documents in two-column mode, a raggedcolumns option may be used to disable automatic balancing on the final page.

Implementation in digital formats varies by technology. In CSS multicolumn layouts, the behavior is controlled by the column-fill property. column-fill: auto fills columns in order and can produce ragged columns when the content ends before the column height is reached; column-fill: balance attempts to equalize column heights, producing neat bottoms but potentially more uneven distribution of content. In traditional typesetting, designers may adjust column width, line length, or page breaks to manage raggedness.

Impact and design considerations: Ragged columns can improve readability by avoiding excessive vertical gaps in long columns or accommodate non-text elements and editorial constraints. They affect visual alignment and page rhythm and are chosen based on device, typography, and content needs.

See also: ragged-right, balanced columns, multi-column layout, page layout.