TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Most readable line lengths? From:JGREY <JGREY -at- MADE2MANAGE -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 27 Jan 1999 10:20:53 -0500
Geoff Hart wrote:
>Second pointer: The rule of thumb for line lengths is usually that a
line should be between two and three "alphabets" long; 2.5 times works
well for me in most cases. That is, type a...z twice, measure the
length, then add 50%.<
The 2-to-3 alphabets rule has worked very well for me, too. Whenver I
design a book's interior, this is a primary rule I apply. Like Geoff,
2.5 alphabets is my usual target.
But I'm not sure this calculation formula is quite accurate. If you add
50% to the twice-alphabet measurement, you actually get a
thrice-alphabet measurement. You need to add 25% to the twice-alphabet
measurement to get the 2.5-alphabet measurement.
Peace,
jim
jim grey \ Documentation Manager
Made2Manage Systems, Inc. \ jgrey -at- made2manage -dot- com
