What does tracking refer to in typography?

Tracking in typography refers to the overall spacing between a range of characters in a word or block of text, impacting how the text is visually perceived. It is the uniform adjustment of the space across a selected block of text, allowing for increased readability or a stylistic effect. When tracking is adjusted, the space between all characters in the selected text expands or contracts evenly, which can help in achieving a desired aesthetic or improving legibility.

This distinction is important as it differs from other typographic adjustments. For example, adjusting the space between individual letters is known as kerning, while vertical spacing between text lines is referred to as leading. Font size adjustments, on the other hand, pertain to the overall scale of the text rather than the spacing among characters. Understanding tracking is crucial for effective typographic design, as it can greatly influence the harmony and flow of text in a layout.