tightspace

Tightspace is a term used in typography and digital design to describe a practice of reducing whitespace within a block of text or an interface to maximize information density or fit content into a constrained area. It covers both horizontal and vertical compression and is common in contexts where page or screen real estate is limited, such as newspapers, catalogs, dashboards, or compact mobile layouts.

In typography, tightspace is achieved by adjusting kerning and tracking, tightening word spacing, and sometimes choosing more condensed fonts. It may also involve shorter line lengths and, less commonly, reduced leading for vertical density. While these techniques can increase the amount of content visible at a glance, they can impair legibility if overused. Designers typically aim for a balance by keeping line lengths within about 45 to 75 characters per line for body text and preserving a minimum comfortable gap between words and letters.

In practice, tightspace is used to present dense data, listings, or summaries where quick scanning matters. In print publishing it helps fit more stories on a page; in dashboards it supports compact grids and tables. Responsively, tightspace strategies adapt to devices by adjusting tracking, font choice, and layout margins to preserve readability while maintaining density.

Criticism centers on readability and eye strain; excessive compression can reduce comprehension, particularly for long-form content or readers with visual impairment. Best practices emphasize testing across devices, preserving accessible contrast, and allowing users to adjust density where possible.

See also: Typography, Kerning, Tracking (typesetting), Leading, White space, Information density.