textkanten

Textkanten, literally “text edges” in German, is a term used in typography and layout to describe the visible boundaries of a block of text within a page, column, or digital container. The left and right textkanten mark where lines of text begin and end within the text area. They are determined by the combination of margins, column width, padding, and any indentation or alignment applied to the paragraph block. In multi-column layouts, the inner and outer textkanten can differ between columns.

Historically, managing textkanten has been central to grid-based typesetting and the development of readable page layouts. With digital typesetting and CSS-based layouts, the concept translates into the box model: the text content area is bounded by padding, borders, and margins, which together define the textkante in relation to the surrounding page or screen.

Why it matters: appropriate textkanten influence readability by controlling line length. Typographic guidelines often recommend roughly 50 to 75 characters per line, depending on font, language, and reader. A well-balanced textkante also supports consistent alignment and an aesthetically coherent rhythm across pages or devices.

See also: Typography, Page layout, CSS box model, Text alignment.