Columns are the vertical blocks into which text is divided on a page. Their number and width determine the length of the lines, and therefore the rhythm and comfort of reading.
Where to see it
Columns are visible in newspapers, which sometimes line up five or six on a single page, but also in magazines and dictionaries. The white space that separates them is called the gutter, and its width matters as much as that of the columns themselves.
Why this detail matters
The choice of columns directly shapes the readability and organization of a page:
- Columns that are too wide produce long lines, where the eye struggles to find the start of the next line; 45 to 75 characters per line is often recommended;
- Columns that are too narrow multiply line breaks and hyphenation, and make justification difficult;
- On the web, the number of columns adapts to the screen size: several columns on desktop, a single one on mobile.
Related term
The grid is the invisible structure that organizes the page; columns, margins and gutters are its basic elements.