Select the text you want to modify using the Type tool.
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Adjust line spacing with leading
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to use leading controls to modify vertical spacing between text lines and improve readability in Adobe InDesign.
Leading controls the vertical distance between text baselines. In InDesign, leading is measured in points and applied as a character attribute, allowing different values within the same paragraph. The largest value on a line sets its spacing. For consistent spacing across a document, use Paragraph styles or adjust the default auto-leading percentage.
Change leading of selected text
Select Type > Character to open the Character panel.
Select the leading you want from the drop-down menu next to the Leading icon.
Note
Aligning text to the baseline grid controls vertical spacing and overrides leading values. If leading changes aren’t applied, Vertical Justification or Align to baseline grid may be selected. Select Object > Text Frame Options and set Align to Top, and ensure the Do not align to baseline grid icon is selected in the Paragraph or Control panel.
Change the default leading percentage
Select the paragraphs you want to change.
Select Type > Paragraph.
Select the Paragraph panel menu icon and then select Justification.
Enter a value between 0% and 500% in the Auto Leading field.
Select OK.
Apply leading to whole paragraphs
When you use a character style to apply leading to text, the leading affects only the text to which the style is applied, not the entire paragraph, regardless of whether the Apply Leading to Entire Paragraphs option is selected.
Select Edit > Preferences > Type (Windows) or InDesign > Preferences > Type (macOS).
Select Apply Leading to Entire Paragraphs.
Select OK.
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