This is a complex subject, and best approached with the supervision of an experienced tutor. The following are very brief guidelines regarding spacing, based upon the generally accepted principles of graphology, and, as with all elements in handwriting, must always be considered in relation to other factors in the writing under examination. For a list of tutors and examination details please contact the Education Officer
Space between lines, on the other hand, is a matter of personal choice with a person of average or 'normal' mentality and can be varied quite easily as desired, e.g. for reasons of available space or personal taste, and is therefore likely to be more of an indication of conscious preference. Consistent spacing is almost impossible between the lines, so that when highly regular spacing is found, this raises the possibility of the writer having used a 'line guide' under the writing paper, in which case findings must be checked in accordance with other factors in the script before any conclusions can be drawn with any safety.
Assessment of Spacing
When first taught to write, a child who is fortunate enough to have a 'school copymodel' to learn from, is trained to give the same spacing between the downstrokes of his letters, so that both the width of single letters and the spaces between them are the same. When we find the adult writer producing either wider letters with narrow spacing, or narrow letters with wider spacing, the writer has "deviated" from that original teaching in order to express something within himself.
The normal letter spacing between words in English writing is roughly equal to the double letter 'm' or two single letters (e.g. 'n', 'u' etc); in the USA and in some other countries it is rather less.
Normal spacing between lines is such as will allow a definite but quite small separation between the lower extremities of one line and the upper extremities of the line below.
Spacing can conveniently be graded as very wide, rather wide, normal, rather narrow and very narrow. This applies equally to inter-line, inter-word and inter-letter separation. Consistency in spacing is also of great importance and must be noted at the same time.
Spacing between letters
The space between individual letters is found in the middle zone, and determined by the amount of space provided for the connecting stroke between letters or the space between individual letters when these are not connected (within a word). It therefore represents the 'social' and 'intimate' areas of a writer's life, in terms of the degree of 'accessability' or 'withdrawal' between the "I" and the "you" on an emotional level, and will reveal the degree of self-expression and spontaneity.
Spacing between words
The great Swiss Graphologist, Pulver (see History) stated that spacing between words is an indication of the writer's attitude towards, and soundness of judgement of other people. So that whilst letter spacing indicates the writer's accessability or withdrawal on the emotional level, word spacing deals with the writer's need for space within the environment.
Wide word spacing indicates the writer's need for space for himself, his heightened sense of discrimination. However, the space a writer claims for himself may also become a barrier between himself and others, so that very wide spacing can indicate the person who is lonely, wanting to make social connections, but unaware of how to achieve this. Narrow spacing indicates the writer's need for constant 'people contact', owing to feelings of insecurity. Fluctuations, if considerable, can therefore indicate a changeable attitude to others; the writer's behaviour cannot be predicted or depended upon.
| Wide spacing: | Discrimination | Exclusiveness |
| Good taste | Isolation | |
| Independence | Loneliness | |
| "Upper class writing" | Snobbery and pride |
| Narrow spacing: | Warmth | Obtrusiveness |
| Sympathy | Poor taste | |
| Gregariousness | Inability to be alone | |
| Low standard writing |
Some people suggest that spacing between words is analagous to the separation between words in ordinary speech; one expects some consistency in individuals, though each one has his own normal articulation and speed which differs from that of his neighbour.
Spacing between lines
Pulver considered spacing between lines to be an indication of the writer's objective judgement of things rather than of his attitude towards people.
Good clear spacing shows good objective judgement, a sense of proportion and a clear mind.
Exaggerated spacing shows a loss of contact with, or poor grasp of, the realities of everyday life.
Very narrow spacing shows poor judgement through inability to stand back from things, in other words a lack of perspective.
With narrow spacing we often encounter mingled lines (loops of one line 'mingle' or become confused with the loops of the line above and/or below), which is a sign of mental muddle, confused thinking and, sometimes, recklessness of consequences. They may often be a sign of mental disorder because, as the separation of lines is to some extent a deliberate matter, the deduction is that the writer cannot keep his lines apart to the required extent, or that he does not realize the need.
If you have enjoyed this brief introduction, and would like to take a serious course of instruction, details of tuition are available. The Institute offers a series of examinations leading to Diploma for those students who successfully complete all stages.
