Letter Nomenclature, Continued
Font metrics
Font metrics refer to the placement of characters on a line to eliminate
unwanted white space between the letters by increasing (letterspacing) or
decreasing (kerning) the space between letters to visually improve legibility.
Most letters are surrounded by some amount of space. The standard unit of
measure for space around letters is the em-square, the space occupied by the
uppercase M. Most letters are surrounded by space equal to one em-square.
Some letters require less space. Other letters, when placed side-by-side,
require more space.
Figure 5-10 shows combinations of letters that may require space alterations.
Figure 5-10.—Combinations of letters that may require space
alterations.
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5-10
