Text Spacing
Text must remain readable when users override line height, paragraph spacing, letter spacing, and word spacing within stated minimums.
What it requires
WCAG 2.1 SC 1.4.12 protects readers with dyslexia, low vision, and cognitive differences who rely on browser extensions or stylesheets to override text spacing. Sites must remain functional when users set: line height ≥1.5×, paragraph spacing ≥2×, letter spacing ≥0.12em, word spacing ≥0.16em.
The fix is structural: avoid `height` declarations on text containers (use `min-height` instead), let containers expand to accommodate larger spacing, and never rely on absolute positioning to overlay text.
Common Shopify failure
Theme uses `height: 60px` on `<button>` elements — when a user applies the WCAG 1.4.12 spacing override, button text overflows. Hero copy positioned absolutely over a fixed-height image, clipping when spacing increases.
How to fix it
AccessComply rewrites `height` to `min-height` on text-containing elements and replaces absolute-positioned text with flow-layout alternatives.
Primary source: W3C — WCAG 2.1 Understanding 1.4.12