Briem’s notes on type design: Spacing the lower case¶
You space the lower case as you do the capitals. Your first step is to decide the width of the letters n and o. Print out a test in several widths.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-5-04-n-30.gif)
Here are five choices of the letter n in different widths. I selected the third line.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-5-04-o-30.gif)
Here are five choices of the letter o. I selected the fourth line. We can base the spacing of the other lower-case letters on these two.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-5-04-onono.gif)
A line of the letters n and o looks like this. This letter n is not symmetrical, so the left sidebearing is wider than the right. Here it’s 14% wider.
This page describes the spacing of hot metal characters at Linotype. It draws on Walter Tracy’s book Letters of Credit , just like the page about capitals . Several texts deal with the subject from other angles. His is accessible. You should read the book.
The letter m should have the same sidebearings as the letter n. The left sidebearing of the letters r b j u should be the same as the left sidebearing of the letter n. And the right sidebearing of the letters h and u should be the same as the the right sidebearing of the letter n.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-5-04-hiklp.gif)
The left sidebearing of the letters h i k l p should be slightly wider than the left sidebearing of the letter n. Let’s assume that “slightly” means five or ten per cent.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-5-04-dijlq.gif)
The right sidebearing of the letters d i j l q should be the same as the the left sidebearing of the letter n.
Remember that the letter j seldom has a serif on the right. When you set the sidebearing, measure from the stem of the letter n, not the serif.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-5-04-cdeq.gif)
If you have the left sidebearing of the letter o, you have also got the left sidebearings of the letters c d e q.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-5-04-bpce.gif)
The right sidebearing of the letters b and p should be the right sidebearing of the letter o, and the right sidebearing of the letters c and e should be slightly wider. Again, we’ll assume that “slightly” means five or ten per cent.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-5-04-vwxykr.gif)
Both sidebearings of the letters v w x y should be a small as possible. So should the right sidebearing of the letters k and r.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-5-04-afgstz.gif)
You have to space the letters a f g s t z by eye. Put them between the letters n and o and adjust the sidebearings until you’ve got the space around them that you want.
![](https://i.fontlab.com/fl8/briem/gif/briem-5-04-lcase.gif)
This method is a good start. Tightening the letters v w x y wouldn’t hurt. A formula for spacing is only a first step. Using your eyes comes next.
Notes on type design. Copyright © 1998, 2001, 2022 Gunnlaugur SE Briem. All rights reserved. Republished with permission in 2022 by Fontlab Ltd.