Typesetter Tracking Gauge
A typography gauge expands beneath a heading in sync with changing letter spacing.
A typography gauge expands beneath a heading in sync with changing letter spacing.
Live Demo
Hover over the element or use Tab to focus.
Source Code
Copy the HTML, CSS or JavaScript you need for your project.
HTML
<div class="tbx-1268"><button class="sample" type="button"><span class="label">TYPOGRAPHY</span><span class="word">FORM <b>&</b> SPACE</span><span class="gauge" aria-hidden="true"><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i></span><span class="size">TRACKING · +80</span></button></div>CSS
.tbx-1268{width:100%;min-height:218px;box-sizing:border-box;display:grid;place-items:center;padding:18px;background:#eae9e5;color:#242d36;font-family:system-ui,sans-serif}.tbx-1268 *{box-sizing:border-box}
.tbx-1268 .sample{max-width:100%;min-width:min(328px,100%);border:1px solid #b7b8b2;background:#f9f8f5;padding:22px 17px;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:9px;align-items:center;font:inherit}
.tbx-1268 .label,.tbx-1268 .size{font:700 9px system-ui;letter-spacing:.14em;color:#777c7e}.tbx-1268 .word{font-weight:900;font-size:clamp(14px,3vw,21px);letter-spacing:.02em;white-space:nowrap;transition:letter-spacing .43s,color .43s}.tbx-1268 .word b{font-weight:300;color:#aa705a}
.tbx-1268 .gauge{display:flex;align-items:flex-start;justify-content:space-between;gap:5px;width:145px;height:12px;transition:width .43s}
.tbx-1268 .gauge i{height:4px;width:1px;background:#89918d;transition:height .43s,background .43s}.tbx-1268 .gauge i:nth-child(3n+1){height:8px}
.tbx-1268 .sample:is(:hover,:focus-visible) .word{letter-spacing:.12em;color:#a5563b}.tbx-1268 .sample:is(:hover,:focus-visible) .gauge{width:220px;max-width:90%}.tbx-1268 .sample:is(:hover,:focus-visible) .gauge i{height:8px;background:#b07156}.tbx-1268 .sample:is(:hover,:focus-visible) .gauge i:nth-child(3n+1){height:12px}
.tbx-1268 :focus-visible{outline:3px solid #ae6045;outline-offset:3px}
@media(max-width:370px){.tbx-1268 .word{font-size:14px}.tbx-1268 .sample:is(:hover,:focus-visible) .word{letter-spacing:.07em}}
@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.tbx-1268 *{transition:none!important}}
How to Use
Insert the HTML and add the CSS to your stylesheet. Adjust colors and sizes and avoid class conflicts.
Use Case
Useful for portfolio galleries and typography sections.
Technical Notes
Keep controls usable on touch devices. Test keyboard focus and reduced-motion preferences.
Mobile: Ensure the interactive content remains accessible without hover on touch devices.
Browser: Uses modern CSS. Check behavior in the browsers you support.
Reduced Motion: Check that prefers-reduced-motion is respected.