As technology evolves and digital content takes center stage, even the smallest details of web design can significantly impact user experience. A seemingly trivial question writers and content creators often ask is, “How many spaces after a period should you use?” In today’s digital-first world, the answer is one space—not two. At Elite Legal Marketing, we understand that tiny details like these can make a difference in how clients and potential clients perceive your Austin, Texas, law firm. That’s why we’re here to help you ensure that every part of your website, from punctuation to design, follows the best readability and user engagement practices.
As technology advances and digital content becomes more prominent, even minor web design elements significantly shape the overall user experience. A question that may seem insignificant but is frequently posed by writers and content creators is, “How many spaces after a period should you use?” In today’s digital-first world, the answer is one space—not two.
Whether you’re refining content for personal projects or professional publications, paying attention to the smaller details—like punctuation—can influence the clarity and readability of your writing.
The period is the most basic form of punctuation, signaling the end of a declarative sentence. But while we all agree on how periods function, there has been a long-standing debate about how many spaces should follow them. Historically, using two spaces after a period was a common practice, especially in formal writing. But why did this convention arise, and does it still have a place in today’s world of digital typography?
In today’s digital age, the current standard—and the best practice for online content—is to use one space after a period.
For those familiar with academic or professional writing, you’ve likely encountered different style guides that dictate specific formatting rules, including how many spaces to use after a period. Historically, academic guides like APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association) adhered to the two-space rule. This was a holdover from the era of typewriters when the extra space helped create a visual separation between sentences due to the monospaced fonts used at the time.
However, both the APA and MLA now recommend using one space after a period in their latest editions. This shift reflects the modern evolution of typography and digital publishing, where proportional fonts—used on websites and in most word processors—eliminate the need for that extra space.
When writing for digital platforms, following modern standards is crucial for both readability and user experience. Digital content should be easy to scan and digest. Using just one space after a period helps maintain a clean, streamlined look that encourages readers to engage with your content.
You might be wondering: Why can’t I use two spaces after a period on my website? After all, many of us were trained to use two spaces, a habit formed over years of writing.
The reason is simple: modern web design and readability. Using two spaces after a period on digital platforms can create awkward spacing, making text look uneven and harder to read. For websites, maintaining a polished and contemporary aesthetic is essential for retaining readers and providing a seamless experience.
Using one space after a period aligns your content with modern readability standards, keeps your text consistent across devices, and helps avoid any potential distractions that could detract from your message.
The origin of using two spaces after a period dates back to the era of typewriters. In the early 20th century, typewriters used monospaced fonts, meaning each letter and symbol occupied the same amount of space. Typists were trained to insert two spaces after every period to create a more precise separation between sentences.
Nevertheless, once word processors and modern typesetting systems were developed, they began using proportional fonts, where each character takes up just the space it needs. In proportional fonts, the extra space between sentences was no longer necessary. As a result, typographers and publishers moved to the single-space rule to improve text flow and make documents look more polished.
While some writers—particularly those who learned to type on typewriters—still adhere to the two-space convention, most modern typography experts recommend one space after a period. This change was widely adopted in print, and as digital content became more prevalent, it was carried over into web design and content creation as well.
While one space is now the standard for web content, there are still limited cases where using two spaces after a period might be acceptable. Some printed materials may still adhere to the two-space rule for consistency with older formatting standards. Similarly, certain niche publications or specific formatting styles may require it. Nonetheless, one space is overwhelmingly preferred for digital content like blogs, websites, and social media posts for its readability and visual appeal.
When writing for digital platforms, the choice should be clear: if your content is going online, stick with one space after a period. This best practice ensures your text looks modern, professional, and user-friendly.
We understand that keeping up with evolving writing rules can be challenging, especially if you’re used to older conventions. Luckily, plenty of online tools are available to help you adjust your writing to fit modern norms. Tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor can help you spot errors and ensure your content follows the latest best practices, including using just one space after a period.
These tools not only check for punctuation and grammar but also analyze sentence structure, style, and overall readability. Incorporating these into your writing process can help guarantee that your content is always up-to-date, professional, and optimized for readers.
In digital content, details like using one space after a period matter. This modern convention improves readability and professionalism, making it the preferred practice across all platforms. At Elite Legal Marketing, we help lawyers stay ahead with optimized law firm web designs. Contact us today to learn how we can enhance your online presence with a clean, professional design.
CEO and co-founder Brian Gomez has over 15 years of experience creating and executing winning internet marketing strategies for law firms in hyper-competitive markets. He specializes in digital marketing, SEO, web development, PPC, content marketing and conversion optimization. He is passionate about providing exceptional service and results.
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