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Graphic Design vocabulary · Typography

Tracking

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˈtrækɪŋ/nounCore term

In graphic design, tracking means: The overall spacing between letters across a whole word, line or paragraph, adjusted evenly to make text look looser or tighter.

In Turkish: harf aralığı, tracking

How it is used

Used in typography and software. You increase, reduce, open up or tighten the tracking; all-caps text and small labels often need extra tracking. In CSS the same idea is called letter-spacing.

Example sentences

  1. Add a little tracking to the all-caps subtitle so it's easier to read.

  2. Don't use negative tracking just to fit the text on one line; edit the copy instead.

Common collocations

  • increase the tracking
  • tight tracking
  • loose tracking
  • negative tracking
  • kerningAdjusting the space between two particular letters so that the gaps look even, for example pulling the A and V closer together in the word ‘AVENUE’.
  • leadingThe vertical distance between lines of text, measured from one baseline to the next. The name comes from strips of lead that printers once placed between lines of metal type.
  • legibilityHow easily individual letters and words can be recognised, which depends on the typeface design, size, contrast and viewing conditions.
  • typographyThe art and skill of choosing and arranging letters so that text is easy to read and looks right: the choice of typefaces, sizes, spacing and line length.

More terms: Typography

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