How do font size and line spacing affect scroll speed?
Font size and line spacing change how much vertical space each word takes up on screen, which changes how fast the script needs to scroll in pixels to deliver words at your target pace. Teleprompter-Scrolling Scripts handles this automatically: you set your WPM once, and the app recalculates scroll pixel speed whenever you adjust font size, line spacing, or text area dimensions. You never need to re-tune speed when you change layout settings.
How the app calculates scroll speed from your settings
The app uses three layout variables to compute the actual scroll rate: your font size, your line spacing, and your text area dimensions. These determine how many pixels of vertical space correspond to one word of text. Your WPM setting then determines how many pixels per second the script must scroll to deliver that many words per minute.
The calculation happens automatically every time you change a setting. The relationship looks like this:
- Larger font size → each word is taller → script scrolls more pixels per word → pixel speed slows to keep WPM constant
- More line spacing → each line is further from the next → more pixels per line → pixel speed slows to keep WPM constant
- Narrower text area → more line breaks per sentence → more pixels per sentence → pixel speed slows to keep WPM constant
The reverse is also true: smaller font, tighter spacing, and wider text area all result in faster pixel scroll for the same WPM. In every case, the words arrive at your speaking pace regardless of how you configure the layout.
What this means in practice
You can treat font size, line spacing, and text position as purely visual comfort settings — adjust them for readability without worrying about re-calibrating speed. The WPM you set is the number that connects the app to your actual speaking pace, and it stays in control no matter how you arrange the text on screen.
The practical workflow:
- Set your WPM to match your natural speaking pace. Record a 30-second test, watch playback, and adjust until the pace feels natural and your delivery sounds like normal speech rather than reading.
- Adjust font size until each line is readable without horizontal eye movement. Don't touch the WPM setting.
- Adjust line spacing for reading comfort. Still don't touch WPM.
- Position the text area close to the camera lens. The app recalculates again — still no WPM change needed.
Once you've found settings you like for a particular device and recording format, they'll work consistently for every script you record on that setup.
Why this matters for eye contact
Because scroll speed auto-adjusts with layout, you can optimize font size and line spacing entirely for eye contact quality rather than trying to balance competing factors. The layout that produces the best delivery isn't the smallest, fastest-scrolling layout — it's the one where your eyes move the least while reading, because minimal eye movement is what looks natural on camera.
Most creators who switch from small font to large font report that their recordings look noticeably more natural, even though the text feels uncomfortably large when they're looking at it. The reason is that large font eliminates horizontal scanning — and the app handles the speed adjustment automatically so nothing else needs to change.
For specific font size recommendations by device and distance, see what font size should I use. For text area placement relative to the camera lens, see how to position the text area.
Set your WPM once — Teleprompter-Scrolling Scripts adjusts scroll speed automatically for any font size, line spacing, or text area layout you choose. Free on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
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