Place an insertion point in a paragraph or select the paragraphs you want to affect.
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Control glyph scaling
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to improve spacing in justified paragraphs without distorting letterforms in Adobe InDesign.
Glyph scaling adjusts the width of characters to improve justification by subtly expanding or compressing glyphs. Use it when justified text shows uneven spacing, keeping values small (about 97%–103%) to avoid distortion.
You set Minimum, Desired, and Maximum values, and InDesign applies glyph scaling automatically along with word and letter spacing to compose each line.
Select Window > Type & Tables > Paragraph.
From the panel menu icon, select Justification.
In the Glyph Scaling section, update the following values:
- Minimum: The narrowest acceptable width, typically 97–99%.
- Desired: The ideal width, usually 100% for no scaling.
- Maximum: The widest acceptable width, typically 101–103%.
Keep glyph scaling within ±3% of the default 100% to avoid compromising readability. Settings like 97, 100, or 103 provide subtle adjustments without visible distortion.
Select OK.
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