# Editors/Layout Artists' question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editors-layout-artists-question/22359>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 14, 2000, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editors-layout-artists-question/22359 "2000-06-14T17:01:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editors-layout-artists-question/22359/1 "2000-06-14T17:01:08Z")

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In order to facilitate the readability of a newspaper, I know the size of type should determine the width of a column of copy. But in searching my memory, I seem to have misplaced the formula for min/max column width (I’ve _really_ become reliant on desktop publishing).

Can anyone fill me in? I’m specifically concerned with 10 and 12 pt. types. 18 pt. would also be nice.

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**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editors-layout-artists-question/22359/2 "2000-06-14T19:00:13Z")

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Chief Scott asks:

In order to facilitate the readability of a newspaper, I know the size of type should determine the width of a column of copy. But in searching my memory, I seem to have misplaced the formula for min/max column width (I’ve really become reliant on desktop publishing).

Can anyone fill me in? I’m specifically concerned with 10 and 12 pt. types. 18 pt. would also be nice.

===============

As I recall from way back when, I learned that an ideal line length is 1-1/2 alphabets (lowercase). FWIW.

ajschn

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**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2000, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editors-layout-artists-question/22359/3 "2000-06-14T22:49:38Z")

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Good ROT, **ajschn**. Thanks.