Summary

The letter-spacing CSS property specifies spacing behavior between text characters.

Initial valuenormal
Applies toall elements. It also applies to ::first-letter and ::first-line.
Inheritedyes
Mediavisual
Computed valuean optimum value consisting of either an absolute length or the keyword normal
Animatableyes, as a length
Canonical orderthe unique non-ambiguous order defined by the formal grammar

Syntax

/* <length> values */
letter-spacing: 0.3em;
letter-spacing: 3px;
letter-spacing: .3px;

/* Keyword values */
letter-spacing: normal;

/* Global values */
letter-spacing: inherit;
letter-spacing: initial;
letter-spacing: unset;

Values

normal
The spacing is the normal spacing for the current font. Unlike a value of 0, this value allows the user agent to alter the space between characters in order to justify text.
<length>
Indicates inter-character space in addition to the default space between characters. Values may be negative, but there may be implementation-specific limits. User agents may not further increase or decrease the inter-character space in order to justify text.
See <length> values for possible units.

Formal syntax

normal | <length>

Examples

HTML Content

<p class="first-example"> letter spacing </p>
<p class="second-example"> letter spacing </p>
<p class="third-example"> letter spacing </p>
<p class="fourth-example"> letter spacing </p>

CSS Content

.first-example { letter-spacing: 0.4em; }
.second-example { letter-spacing: 1em; }
.third-example { letter-spacing: -0.05em; }
.fourth-example { letter-spacing: 6px; }

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Text Level 3
The definition of 'letter-spacing' in that specification.
Working Draft No change
CSS Transitions
The definition of 'letter-spacing' in that specification.
Working Draft Defines letter-spacing as animatable.
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1)
The definition of 'letter-spacing' in that specification.
Recommendation No change
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 1.1 (Second Edition)
The definition of 'letter-spacing' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial SVG definition
CSS Level 1
The definition of 'letter-spacing' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari (WebKit)
HTML support 1.0 1.0 (1.7 or earlier) 4.0 3.5 1.0 (85)
SVG support (Yes) No support (bug 371787) ? (Yes) (Yes)
Feature Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
HTML support ? ? ? ? ?
SVG support ? ? ? ? ?

See also