1. Home
  2. Computing & Technology
  3. Web Design / HTML

whitespace

By Jennifer Kyrnin, About.com

Definition:

Whitespace is the empty spaces in a design. Whitespace is used to separate disparate design elements and group similar ones. Whitespace is the lack of graphics or text in the layout.

Whitespace is not always "white" - it is the empty parts of the page, but if the page has a different background color that will be the color of the whitespace.

Whitespace Characters

In HTML there are several characters that create whitespace. They are: a space, a tab, and a carriage return (or linefeed).

Also Known As: white space, empty space, negative space, breathing room
Alternate Spellings: white space

Explore Web Design / HTML

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Computing & Technology
  3. Web Design / HTML
  4. Web Design
  5. Principles of Web Design
  6. Layout
  7. Layout Glossary
  8. Define: whitespace - Glossary Definition whitespace - Whitespace in Web design

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.