How to Change the Line Spacing of Text in WordPress

Adjusting the line spacing (also known as line height) of text in WordPress can improve readability and design aesthetics on your site. You can change the line spacing through various methods depending on whether you’re using the Block Editor (Gutenberg), a theme’s built-in customization options, or by adding custom CSS.

Here’s how you can change the line spacing of text in WordPress:

Method 1: Using the Block Editor (Gutenberg)

In the Gutenberg block editor, some blocks, such as the Paragraph or Heading block, allow basic adjustments to text settings, including line spacing.

Step 1: Open the Block Editor

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Posts > Add New or Pages > Add New (or edit an existing post/page).

Step 2: Select the Text Block

1. Click on the Paragraph or Heading block containing the text where you want to adjust line spacing.

Step 3: Use Block Settings

1. In the right-hand settings panel, click on the Block tab.
2. Look for an option called Line Height (Note: This option may only be available in certain themes or blocks).
3. Adjust the line height by increasing or decreasing the value (usually a number between 1 and 2 is typical for most text).

Step 4: Save Changes

1. After adjusting the line height, preview the post or page to ensure the text looks the way you want.
2. Click Publish or Update to save your changes.

Method 2: Using the WordPress Customizer (For Themes with Typography Options)

Some WordPress themes offer typography customization options that allow you to adjust line spacing site-wide without needing custom CSS.

Step 1: Go to the WordPress Customizer

1. From the dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Customize.

Step 2: Find the Typography Settings

1. In the customizer, look for the Typography or Appearance section. (Note: The exact location of these settings depends on your theme.)
2. Look for an option that controls Line Height or Text Spacing.

Step 3: Adjust Line Spacing

1. Use the sliders or number inputs to adjust the line height for specific text elements (e.g., body text, headings).
2. Preview the changes to see how the text looks on different devices.

Step 4: Save Your Changes

1. Once you’re happy with the spacing, click Publish to apply the changes site-wide.

Method 3: Using Custom CSS

For more control over line spacing or if your theme or editor doesn’t provide an option to adjust line height, you can add custom CSS to change it.

Step 1: Add Custom CSS

1. From the WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Customize.
2. Click on the Additional CSS tab.

Step 2: Insert the CSS Code

To target all paragraphs site-wide, add the following CSS code:

To target headings (e.g., H1, H2), use:

You can also target specific blocks by using their CSS class or ID. For example:

Step 3: Save and Publish

1. After adding the custom CSS, preview the changes to ensure the line spacing looks correct.
2. Click Publish to save your changes.

Method 4: Using a Plugin

If you don’t want to work with custom CSS, you can use a plugin to manage typography and line spacing easily.

Popular Plugins:

• Advanced Editor Tools (formerly TinyMCE Advanced): This plugin extends the default WordPress editor, providing more options for formatting, including line spacing control.
• WP Typography: This plugin adds advanced typography features, including line height, text alignment, and more.

Steps:

1. Go to Plugins > Add New.
2. Search for the plugin (e.g., “Advanced Editor Tools”) and click Install and Activate.
3. Once activated, the plugin settings will be available under Settings or within the editor toolbar.
4. Use the plugin’s interface to adjust line spacing as needed.

Conclusion

Changing the line spacing in WordPress can enhance readability and improve the overall look of your site. Depending on your theme, you can adjust line spacing using the Block Editor’s built-in options, theme customizer, or custom CSS. If you’re looking for an easier, non-code solution, plugins like Advanced Editor Tools also offer a great way to manage typography. Choose the method that works best for you, and adjust your text to achieve the desired spacing.