Select the text insertion between characters or select text using the Type tool.
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Adjust kerning between characters
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to control spacing between characters using metrics, optical, and manual kerning in Adobe InDesign.
Kerning controls the space between specific pairs of characters to improve visual balance and readability. While InDesign automatically applies metrics kerning based on font data, you can switch to optical kerning for better results with mixed fonts, sizes, or adjust spacing manually for precise control.
Use metrics kerning
Select Type > Character.
Select the Kerning icon and select Metrics in the menu.
Use optical kerning
Select the text insertion between characters or select text using the Type tool.
Select Type > Character.
Select the Kerning icon and select Optical in the menu.
Adjust kerning manually
Manual kerning applies only when the insertion point is between two characters. For selected text ranges, use tracking instead.
Select the text insertion between characters or select text using the Type tool.
Select Type > Character.
Select a numeric value in the Kerning field of the Character dialog box.
Change the default kerning increment
Select Edit > Preferences > Units & Increments.
Select Keyboard Increments > Kerning/Tracking.
Enter a new value for Kerning/Tracking.
Select OK.
Note
You can also press Alt + Ctrl + Q (Windows) or Option + Command + Q (macOS) to reset kerning and tracking. When you do so, kerning is set to Metrics regardless of which kerning option was previously applied.
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