Studies of typographical factors influencing speed of reading. III. Length of line

Abstract

Previous opinion on the relation of line length to speed of reading favors short lines. Using 10 point type, speed of reading tests were made on 560 college students, with texts set in eight different lengths of line varying from 59 to 186 mm. Comparing an 80 mm. length with each of the seven others, it was found that for 10 point type the 80 mm. line yields the fastest reading, not only for those of average speed, but for fast and slow readers as well. Fast readers, however, are retarded relatively more by non-optimal line-lengths than are average or slow readers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)