SURL has studied reading performance with four layouts using different margins and leading (space between lines). The results showed that the layouts with margins improved comprehension of the texts, but made reading speed slower. Leading didn't have any significant effect on reading performance. Users favored the layout with margins and high leading, because they found it easier to read.
Links:
- The article Reading Online Text: A Comparison of Four White Space Layouts

Henrik Olsen
- August 01, 2004
See also: Text (24) Web page design (40) Research (129)