Adjusting kerning and tracking


    You can apply kerning, tracking, or both to selected text. Tracking and kerning are both measured in 1/1000 em, a unit of measure that is relative to the current type size. In a 6-point font, 1 em equals 6 points; in a 10-point font, 1 em equals 10 points. Kerning and tracking are strictly proportional to the current type size.

To use a font's built-in kerning information for selected text:

    In the Character palette, select Metrics in the Kerning pop-up menu Kerning for horizontal type (or Kerning for vertical type for vertical text). Metrics is the default.

To automatically adjust the spacing between selected characters based on their shapes:

    In the Character palette, select Optical in the Kerning pop-up menu.

To adjust kerning manually:

  1. Using the Type tool, click to place an insertion point between two characters.
  2. Note: If a range of text is selected, you can't manually kern the text (you can choose only Metrics, Optical, or 0). Instead, use tracking.

  3. In the Character palette, type or select a numeric value in the Kerning menu.

To turn off kerning for selected text:

    In the Character palette, type 0 or choose 0 from the Kerning menu.

To adjust tracking:

  1. Select a range of characters.
  2. In the Character palette, type or select a numeric value for Tracking Tracking icon (or Leading icon for vertical text).
  3. Tip iconYou can also use keyboard shortcuts to adjust kerning and tracking. For more information, see Keys for formatting type.