Word Spacing & Boundaries

In Arabic, word boundaries are defined by breaks in the connecting stroke — not just by whitespace. Because Arabic is a connected script, letters within a word flow together, and the gap between words can sometimes be subtle. This makes word spacing a more sensitive typographic decision than in Latin, where letters are naturally discrete.

Spacing and Justification

Arabic justification works differently than Latin. Instead of stretching spaces between words (which can create ugly rivers of white), Arabic can use kashida (elongation) to fill lines. The interplay between inter-word spacing, kashida, and letter connection means that poorly handled justification is more visible and disruptive in Arabic than in Latin. Designers need to balance whitespace, connection flow, and line rhythm as a unified system.