letter-spacing

The letter-spacing attribute controls spacing between text characters, in addition to any spacing from the kerning attribute.

If the attribute value is a unitless number (like 128), the browser processes it as a <length> in the current user coordinate system.

If the attribute value has a unit identifier, such as .25em or 1%, then the browser converts the <length> into its corresponding value in the current user coordinate system.

Note: As a presentation attribute, letter-spacing can be used as a CSS property. See the css letter-spacing property for more information.

As a presentation attribute, it can be applied to any element but it has effect only on the following eight elements: <altGlyph>, <text>, <textPath>, <tref>, and <tspan>

<svg viewBox="0 0 400 30" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
  <text y="20" letter-spacing="2">Bigger letter-spacing</text>
  <text x="200" y="20" letter-spacing="-0.5">Smaller letter-spacing</text>
</svg>

Usage notes

Value normal | <length>
Default value normal
Animatable Yes

For a description of the values, please refer to the CSS letter-spacing property.

Prior to Firefox 72 Firefox ignored letter-spacing and renders text without.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Text Module Level 3
The definition of 'letter-spacing' in that specification.
Working Draft SVG 2 just refers to the definition in CSS Text 3.
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 1.1 (Second Edition)
The definition of 'letter-spacing' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
letter-spacingChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 73IE Full support 9Opera Full support YesSafari Full support 5.1WebView Android Full support ≤37Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android No support NoOpera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support 5.1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support

See also