Justified text, where each line of text is aligned evenly on both the left and right margins, is a common web design in sutton codlfield formatting style in print. While it may look professional in newspapers or books, using justified text on websites comes with challenges that can impact readability, user experience, and SEO.
Let’s dive into how to justify text on a website and explore the reasons why it’s often best to avoid this formatting in web design.
How to Justify Text on a Website
If you still want to justify text for specific design reasons, here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Using CSS for Text Justification
To justify text on a website, you can use the text-align
property in CSS. Here’s a simple example:
<p style="text-align: justify;">
This is a paragraph with justified text. All lines are aligned to the left and right margins, creating a block-like appearance.
</p>
Alternatively, you can use an external or internal CSS file:
/* External or internal CSS */
p {
text-align: justify;
}
This method ensures consistency across all paragraphs or specific sections where the justification is applied.
2. Applying Justification in WordPress or Page Builders
- In WordPress, you can justify text using the block editor. Highlight the text, then click the alignment options and choose “Justify.”
- Popular page builders like Elementor or Divi often include built-in tools for text justification in their settings.
3. Using HTML <div>
Tags
If you want to justify text for a specific section, wrap it in a <div>
tag with a justified class:
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is a block of justified text within a div container.
</div>
Why You Should Avoid Justifying Text on Websites
While justified text may look clean and organized in print, it often creates problems when used on digital platforms. Here’s why:
1. Poor Readability
Justified text forces the browser to adjust spacing between words to create evenly aligned edges. This often results in uneven gaps between words, also known as “rivers of white space,” which disrupt reading flow. On smaller screens, this effect becomes even more pronounced.
2. Mobile Responsiveness Issues
With the rise of mobile browsing, justified text can look inconsistent across devices. It’s harder to manage word spacing on smaller screens, leading to awkwardly stretched or compressed lines.
3. Accessibility Challenges
For users with dyslexia or other reading difficulties, justified text can be overwhelming. The inconsistent spacing makes it harder to focus on the content, leading to a frustrating user experience.
4. Negative Impact on SEO
Search engines prioritize user experience, and readability is a critical factor. If visitors struggle to read justified content, they may leave the page quickly, increasing your bounce rate and lowering your site’s SEO ranking.
5. Better Alternatives Exist
Text aligned to the left (left-aligned text) is the default for most websites and provides a clean, readable format. This alignment ensures consistent spacing and doesn’t force awkward gaps between words.
When to Use Justified Text (If at All)
While generally discouraged, justified text may be acceptable in certain cases:
- Formal Documents: If your website hosts downloadable PDFs or online publications, justified text may suit the format.
- Cultural Expectations: Some languages and regions prefer justified text, such as Arabic or Chinese typography, where the style is more culturally familiar.
Tips for Better Text Formatting
If you want to create visually appealing and readable text without justification, follow these guidelines:
- Stick to Left Alignment: It’s the web standard and works well across devices.
- Use Line Height: Adjust the
line-height
property in CSS to improve readability. A value between 1.5 and 2 works best for most body text. - Limit Line Length: Aim for 50–75 characters per line to make text easier to read.
- Choose Readable Fonts: Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Roboto, or Open Sans are ideal for web content.
- Enhance Contrast: Ensure sufficient contrast between the text and background for better visibility.
Conclusion
While justifying text on a website may seem appealing for its clean, professional appearance, it often leads to issues like poor readability, accessibility barriers, and inconsistent formatting across devices. By opting for left-aligned text and following web design best practices, you can create content that is visually appealing, user-friendly, and SEO-optimized.