All WCAG criteria
WCAG 1.4.12 · PerceivableLevel AA

1.4.12Text Spacing

When users override line height, letter spacing, word spacing, and paragraph spacing, no content or functionality is lost.

Common failures

Patterns that fail this criterion.

  • 01Fixed-height buttons with text that overflows when line-height grows
  • 02Text containers with `overflow: hidden` that clip enlarged spacing
How to test

Testing approach: manual.

Manual — apply the WCAG 1.4.12 bookmarklet (overrides spacing per spec); confirm no content is lost.

How to fix

Remediation steps.

  1. 1

    Avoid fixed heights on text

    Let containers grow with content.

  2. 2

    Use min-height, not height

    For buttons and similar — `min-height` allows content to push the container open.

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Related criteria

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WCAG 1.4.4 · Level AA

Resize Text

All 50 WCAG 2.1 Level A + AA success criteria explained.

View the full checklist