Alignment

How it is used

Designers talk about left alignment, centre alignment and elements that are 'off' or 'misaligned' by a few pixels. In meetings, alignment also means agreement: 'we need alignment with marketing'.

Example sentences

1. The labels and the input fields have different left alignment, so the form looks messy.

2. Check the alignment of the icons; the last one is two pixels lower.

Common collocations

• left alignment
• check the alignment
• out of alignment
• get alignment on

Related terms

• gridA set of invisible columns, rows and gaps that designers use to place and align elements consistently across a page or screen.
• layoutThe arrangement of text, images, buttons and other elements on a page or screen, including their size, position and the space between them.
• spacingThe amount of space between and inside elements, such as the gap between cards or the padding inside a button, chosen to create rhythm and grouping.
• visual hierarchyThe use of size, colour, contrast, spacing and position on a screen so that people notice the most important elements first and read the rest in a clear order.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• alignment · Software Engineering
• alignment · Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• alignment · Product Management
• alignment · Genetics & Biotechnology
• alignment · Management & Leadership
• alignment · Graphic Design

More terms: Visual Design and Layout

• typography
• responsive design
• white space
• color palette
• breakpoint
• pixel-perfect