Text Alignment Trouble: Unmasking the Challenges of Justified Text

shalini priyadarshini
2 min readJun 7, 2023

--

https://accessible-digital-documents.com/blog/justified-text/

While justified text alignment may seem visually appealing and organized, it can also present some challenges. Here are a few problems commonly associated with justified text.

Uneven Spacing:

Justified text adjusts the spacing between words and characters to create even margins on both sides of the text block. However, this can lead to irregular spacing between words, resulting in noticeable gaps or large spaces within the text. Conversely, it may also cause stretched or compressed spacing, making the text appear cramped or uneven.

csczsfdbfgnxgfn zdf bzgf mhm cv x√ bv mbngdsfsefitethglb xvm 
xcvdgfnfgfbvcbbvnvb vb vb n hbbj,ghk,kj.lvvfgdfgcvbcb b b b
xfzdfnjrdx nmcvbnhgf. zsggd. dffdgfsfd. xvdvxcdfsgf xdv

Rivers of White Space:

Justified text can create “rivers” or streams of white space that flow vertically through a paragraph. These rivers occur due to the variable spacing between words, causing certain lines to have wider gaps that align and create a distracting visual pattern. Rivers of white space can disrupt the readability and cohesiveness of the text.

Word Spacing and Hyphenation:

To achieve justified text, word spacing is adjusted, which can result in uneven gaps between words. Additionally, hyphenation may be necessary to break words at the end of lines, leading to inconsistent hyphen placement and potentially disrupting the flow of the text.

Readability Issues:

Justified text can occasionally affect readability. In some cases, spacing adjustments can create awkward word breaks, making it harder for readers to follow the text smoothly. Furthermore, the variability in word spacing can disrupt the natural rhythm of reading and make it more challenging for the eyes to track the text.

Limited Legibility:

Justified text is generally more challenging to read in narrower columns or smaller font sizes. The increased spacing between words can make it more difficult to discern individual letters and words, particularly for individuals with visual impairments or reading difficulties.

While justified text can be suitable for certain design contexts or printed materials, it is important to consider the potential readability and visual issues it may introduce. Depending on the medium and the specific requirements, alternatives such as left-aligned or ragged-right text provide better readability and a more consistent reading experience.

--

--

shalini priyadarshini
shalini priyadarshini

Written by shalini priyadarshini

Content creator | incessant problem solver | change behavior through my writing | Reform | Rethink | Redesign | Refuse | Reduce | Reuse | Repurpose | Rot

Responses (2)