typems

Typems is a neologism that has appeared in discussions of typography and algorithmic typesetting as a proposed unit of measurement for typographic elements. Unlike established units such as the em, en, or picas, typems are not standardized and do not refer to a single fixed quantity; rather, different models have been proposed in design literature and experimental tooling.

In the typem concept, a typem is a scalable primitive that anchors coordinates for type-related measurements. Designers may define typems in relation to font metrics such as em, cap height, or x-height. Under these models, line length, interline spacing, margins, and other layout primitives can be expressed as multiples of a typem, yielding proportional systems that adapt when a different font is selected but the same typem rules are kept. This approach aims to maintain visual rhythm across fonts with varying metrics.

Variants differ in how typems are computed: some tie typems to the font's em size, others to cap height, and some allow a hybrid where a typem is a function of multiple metrics. Implementations have appeared in experimental typesetting tools and design research papers, often as part of discussions about responsive typography and cross-font consistency.

Reception remains cautious: typems are not part of formal typography standards, and their adoption is limited. Critics note potential confusion with existing units and extra complexity in layout computation, while proponents argue typems offer a flexible framework for adaptive design. The term typems is mainly used in theoretical contexts and early-stage tooling discussions.