Glossary

A2, A4, A5, etc.

ISO system of standardizing paper sizes, used in most countries except Canada and the United States. It begins with A0 (841 x 1189 mm). For each subsequent size the longer measurement is halved so A1 measures 594 x 841 mm. This continues to A10 (26 x 37 mm). The US system measures paper in inches; the standard letter size, equivalent to A4, is 8½ x 11 inches (216 x 279 mm). Other sizes in common use include legal (216 x 356 mm), executive (190 x 254 mm), and ledger/tabloid (279 x 432 mm).

Alignment

Whether text is vertically aligned left or right, justified, or centered (see also ranged left/right).

Appearing size

A term referring to the visual size of a typeface in relation to its x-height.

Ascender

The part of a letterform ...

Get How to use Type now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.