Visual testing
Test WCAG Text Spacing Overrides
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
Purpose and preparation
Apply the specified line, paragraph, letter and word spacing simultaneously to check for lost content or functionality. This evaluates resilience to user overrides; it does not require every site's default typography to use these values.
A practical example
A pricing card contains a heading, a short explanation and a purchase button inside a fixed-height container.
How to check it
- Set line height to at least 1.5 times font size, paragraph spacing after paragraphs to at least twice font size, letter spacing to at least 0.12 times font size and word spacing to at least 0.16 times font size.
- Inspect navigation, cards, labels, validation messages and overlays for clipping or overlap. Expand hidden sections while the overrides remain active.
- Try the affected actions and record the smallest reproducible example of any lost content. Restore the original styles and compare the same state.
What can be missed
A screenshot of body paragraphs alone misses components with fixed dimensions. Apply the overrides together and record any language or content exceptions relevant to the criterion.
Record your test
Use this worksheet to record what you actually checked. Notes stay on this device when you choose Save; they are not sent to us. Avoid personal or confidential information on shared devices.
These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.