Spacing Calculator
Generate mathematically-perfect spacing scales for your design system. Choose your scale type, customize tokens, preview in real layouts, and export to any format.
Loading Spacing Calculator...
Why Spacing Systems Matter
The foundation of visual consistency and hierarchy
Visual Consistency
A systematic approach to spacing creates visual rhythm and harmony across your entire product. Users subconsciously recognize patterns, making your interface feel more cohesive and professional.
Faster Development
With predefined spacing tokens, developers spend less time making spacing decisions. No more guessing whether to use 12px or 16px—just reference the appropriate token.
Better Hierarchy
Consistent spacing helps establish clear visual hierarchy. Larger spacing creates separation and emphasis, while smaller spacing groups related elements together.
Improved Accessibility
Adequate spacing improves readability and makes interactive elements easier to tap or click. Grid-based spacing naturally creates touch-friendly targets.
Easier Maintenance
When spacing is tokenized, making global adjustments is simple. Change one value and it updates everywhere, maintaining consistency effortlessly.
Team Alignment
A shared spacing system creates a common language between designers and developers. Everyone knows exactly what "space-4" means, eliminating ambiguity.
Understanding Grid Systems
4-point vs 8-point grids and when to use each
4-Point Grid System
A 4-point grid uses multiples of 4 pixels (4, 8, 12, 16, 20...) as the foundation for spacing. This system offers fine-grained control over spacing decisions, making it ideal for dense, information-heavy interfaces.
Best For
- Complex dashboards
- Dense data tables
- Desktop applications
Benefits
- Granular control
- High flexibility
- Precise alignment
8-Point Grid System
An 8-point grid uses multiples of 8 pixels (8, 16, 24, 32...) for all spacing decisions. This system creates bold, clear spacing with fewer decision points, reducing cognitive load for both designers and developers.
Best For
- Mobile apps (iOS/Android)
- Marketing websites
- Clean, minimal UIs
Benefits
- Faster decisions
- Natural scaling
- Cross-platform consistency
Best Practices for Spacing
Professional tips for creating effective spacing systems
Start with a Base Unit
Choose either 4px or 8px as your base unit and build your entire scale from it. This creates mathematical harmony and ensures all spacing values work together naturally.
If unsure, start with 8px for simplicity, or use 4px if you need more granular control.
Limit Your Token Count
Aim for 8-12 core spacing tokens. Too few limits flexibility, but too many creates decision paralysis. You can always add more tokens later if needed.
Common token counts: 8 tokens for minimal systems, 10-12 for standard systems, 14-16 for complex applications.
Use Semantic Naming
While numbered tokens (space-1, space-2) are common, consider adding semantic aliases for specific use cases like "gutter", "section-gap", or "component-padding".
Create a two-tier system: base tokens (space-1) and semantic aliases (section-gap = space-8).
Document Usage Guidelines
Create clear documentation showing when to use each spacing token. Include examples and common patterns to help your team make consistent decisions.
Use visual examples in your documentation—show actual components using each spacing value.
Test at Multiple Breakpoints
Verify your spacing scale works well on mobile, tablet, and desktop. You may need responsive adjustments where larger screens use bigger spacing tokens.
Consider creating a separate mobile-optimized scale with slightly reduced values for smaller screens.
Consider Component-Specific Spacing
Some components like buttons or form fields may need specific internal padding that doesn't exactly match your scale. That's okay—use your scale as a guide, not a strict rule.
For buttons, consider using one token for vertical padding and another for horizontal (e.g., 12px vertical, 24px horizontal).
Integrate with Typography
Your spacing scale should complement your typography scale. Line height and vertical rhythm should feel harmonious with your spacing choices.
If your body text has 24px line height, using multiples of 8px for spacing creates natural vertical rhythm.
Review and Iterate
Your first spacing scale won't be perfect. Use it in real designs, gather feedback, and refine. Track which tokens are used most and which are never touched.
After a few months, audit your usage. Remove unused tokens and add commonly-needed values.
Common Spacing Mistakes
Avoid these pitfalls when building your spacing system
Too Many Arbitrary Values
Using random spacing values (13px, 18px, 27px) instead of tokens creates inconsistency and makes maintenance difficult.
Commit to your spacing system. If a token doesn't exist for your needs, add it to the system rather than creating one-off values.
Not Considering Mobile
Spacing that works on desktop can feel too generous on mobile, wasting precious screen real estate.
Test your spacing scale on actual mobile devices. Consider responsive spacing where larger tokens scale down on smaller screens.
Ignoring Negative Space
Packing too much into layouts without adequate breathing room makes interfaces feel cramped and overwhelming.
Embrace white space. Use larger spacing tokens generously for sections and major divisions.
Inconsistent Scale Type
Mixing linear and modular scaling within the same system creates an unpredictable, jarring experience.
Choose one scale type and stick with it. Linear scales are most common and easiest to understand.
No Team Documentation
Creating a spacing system but not documenting when to use each token leads to misuse and inconsistency.
Create a living style guide with examples, usage guidelines, and common patterns. Make it easily accessible to all team members.
Forgetting Component States
Not accounting for how spacing changes in hover, focus, or active states can break your layout.
Test interactive states early. Ensure borders, outlines, or shadows don't disrupt spacing when added.
How to Implement Your Spacing Scale
Step-by-step guide to using spacing tokens in your project
Generate Your Scale
Use the calculator above to create a spacing scale that matches your design needs. Start with a preset or customize from scratch.
Export to Your Format
Choose your preferred format (CSS variables, Tailwind, SCSS, etc.) and copy the generated code.
Add to Your Project
Paste the spacing tokens into your stylesheets or configuration files. For CSS variables, add to your :root or theme file.
Use Consistently
Reference your spacing tokens throughout your components instead of arbitrary values. This ensures consistency across your entire design.
Document & Share
Create documentation for your team explaining when to use each spacing token. Share the configuration URL for easy access.
Need a Complete Design System?
Our team can build comprehensive design systems with spacing, typography, colors, components, and documentation—all tailored to your brand and workflow.
Get a Free Consultation