Mobile Layout Spacing That Works
TL;DR:
- Vertical stacking on mobile needs careful space management between elements
- Adjust padding, margins, and line breaks to create balanced layouts
- Too much scrolling or cramped views hurt user experience
- Test on real devices, not just simulators
- Proper spacing directly impacts readability and navigation
When your website shifts to mobile, elements stack vertically. The spacing between each block makes the difference between a professional-looking site and one that feels rushed or broken.
Poor spacing creates two main problems: elements that bunch up and look cramped, or elements that drift too far apart and force users to scroll endlessly. Both hurt the user experience.
Understanding the Three Types of Spacing
Padding controls the space inside an element's border. Think of it as the breathing room around your content within its container. Too little padding and your text touches the edges. Too much and you waste valuable screen space.
Margins handle the space outside an element's border. This controls how close elements sit to each other. Getting margins right prevents that cramped feeling when blocks stack on mobile.
Line breaks manage visual separation between text lines and components. They affect readability more than most people realize.
Testing Mobile Spacing
Here's the bit most people miss: you need to test on actual devices. Browser simulators help during development, but they don't show you how spacing actually feels when you're holding a phone.
Check your mobile layout on different screen sizes. A spacing that works on a large iPhone might feel too tight on a smaller Android device.
Look for these common spacing problems:
- Text that runs right to the edge of the screen
- Images that sit too close to headings
- Buttons that are hard to tap because they're too close together
- Excessive white space that makes users scroll too much
Squarespace-Specific Spacing Tips
In Squarespace 7.1, you can adjust spacing through the Design panel. Use the spacing controls for sections and blocks rather than trying to add manual spacing with line breaks.
For Squarespace 7.0 sites, you'll need to use custom CSS to fine-tune mobile spacing since the built-in controls are more limited.
Getting the Balance Right
Good mobile spacing feels natural. Users shouldn't notice it, but they'll definitely notice when it's wrong. Aim for layouts that feel balanced without forcing excessive scrolling.
The goal is a mobile site that's as easy to navigate as it is to read. This means finding the sweet spot where content feels organized but not cramped.
FAQs
How do I know if my mobile spacing is working?
Test on real devices and watch how people actually use your site. If they're struggling to read content or navigate, spacing is often the culprit.
What's the biggest mobile spacing mistake?
Not leaving enough padding around text and buttons. Content that runs to the edge of the screen looks unprofessional and is harder to read.
Should mobile spacing be different from desktop?
Yes. Mobile screens are smaller, so you need to be more selective about where you use space. What looks good on desktop might feel too spacious on mobile.
Jargon Buster
Padding – Space inside an element's border, around the content
Margins – Space outside an element's border, between it and other elements
Line breaks – Gaps between lines of text or design elements
Responsive design – Layouts that adapt to different screen sizes
Wrap-up
Mobile spacing isn't just about making things look neat. It directly affects how people interact with your site. Get it right and users can focus on your content. Get it wrong and they'll struggle to navigate or read what you've written.
The key is regular testing and adjustment. Don't rely on how it looks in your browser. Grab your phone and actually use your site the way your visitors will.
Join Pixelhaze Academy to learn more mobile design techniques that actually work.