How much space
feels right?

A small study of the space between letters. Adjust the gap in short type samples and help us understand what looks natural to the human eye.

At your own pace. Stop whenever you like.
Use a desktop or laptop. No name or email needed.

Why your eye matters.

We’re researching how to space type automatically. The shapes of letters can be measured, but those measurements alone don’t tell us which spacing people prefer.

Your choices give us a human reference to test these methods against, across different typefaces and sizes.

This is a study of the spacing, not a test of your skill. We want your judgment. Different people may choose differently.

A little looking.
A little adjusting.

  1. Find your preferred gap.

    You’ll see a short type sample. Only the middle gap changes. Use the arrow keys to make it narrower or wider, then press Enter when it feels right.

  2. Take one short set.

    Most sets have 24 judgments; one has 16. You’ll see text and display sizes. Your first set starts with practice: four practice samples in total.

  3. Leave whenever you like.

    Every confirmed choice is saved automatically. This browser remembers you. Keep your personal link to continue on another device, or come back another day for more.

A few things to know.

What do I need?

A desktop or laptop with a keyboard, a comfortable view of your screen and your own judgment. We’ll ask about your viewing conditions and check browser zoom before you begin. There are practice samples to learn the controls.

← / → makes a fine adjustment. Hold Shift for a larger step. Enter saves your choice. No correct answer or other person’s response is shown.

What is saved?

Your spacing choices, interactions with the samples and viewing conditions are saved in this browser and sent to the study organizer. A random personal link connects your visits; no account is needed.

You can copy, download or optionally email that link using “Keep my link”. Keep it private: anyone with it can access your saved work. The study does not save your email address; the delivery provider may retain delivery records.

Please leave identifying details out of optional notes and screen labels.

Want to contribute more detail?

The default asks only for the gap you prefer. You can also mark the narrowest and widest gaps you would accept. This takes longer. Your preference is saved first, and you can skip the limits.

Limits start from suggestions you can adjust, not correct answers. You can change this option for future samples in Help.

Controls and options

← / → adjusts one step. Shift + arrow moves ten times farther. Enter confirms the current step. Escape closes Help.

This does not change the current proof. With optional limits enabled, preference is saved first. Limits are suggested starting positions, not calculated correct answers.

If saving fails, export a backup before closing. A changed screen is recorded as a new viewing episode; earlier answers keep their original conditions.

This browser remembers your participation. This link also works on another device. Keep it private: anyone with it can access your saved work.

Email me a copy (optional)

We do not save your address in the study. Our email provider processes it for delivery and may retain delivery records.