How to Increase Line spacing in UILabel in Swift

Question

I have a label which has few lines of text and I want to increase the spacing between the lines. There are similar questions asked by others but the solutions don't solve my problems. Also my label may or may not contain paragraphs. I am new to Swift. Is there a solution using storyboard? Or only through NSAttributedString its possible?

Photofluorography

Answer 1

Programatically add LineSpacing to your UILabel using following snippet.

Earlier Swift version

let attributedString = NSMutableAttributedString(string: "Your text")

// *** Create instance of `NSMutableParagraphStyle`
let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()

// *** set LineSpacing property in points ***
paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = 2 // Whatever line spacing you want in points

// *** Apply attribute to string ***
attributedString.addAttribute(NSParagraphStyleAttributeName, value:paragraphStyle, range:NSMakeRange(0, attributedString.length))

// *** Set Attributed String to your label ***
label.attributedText = attributedString

Swift 4.0

let attributedString = NSMutableAttributedString(string: "Your text")

// *** Create instance of `NSMutableParagraphStyle`
let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()

// *** set LineSpacing property in points ***
paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = 2 // Whatever line spacing you want in points

// *** Apply attribute to string ***
attributedString.addAttribute(NSAttributedStringKey.paragraphStyle, value:paragraphStyle, range:NSMakeRange(0, attributedString.length))

// *** Set Attributed String to your label ***
label.attributedText = attributedString

Swift 4.2

let attributedString = NSMutableAttributedString(string: "Your text")

// *** Create instance of `NSMutableParagraphStyle`
let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()

// *** set LineSpacing property in points ***
paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = 2 // Whatever line spacing you want in points

// *** Apply attribute to string ***
attributedString.addAttribute(NSAttributedString.Key.paragraphStyle, value:paragraphStyle, range:NSMakeRange(0, attributedString.length))

// *** Set Attributed String to your label ***
label.attributedText = attributedString

Codel

This shows an error "Value of type 'NSAttributedString' has no member 'addAttribute' ". – Photofluorography

We need to use NSMutableAttributedString instead NSAttributedString. I have updated asnwer. – Codel

Work with custom Fonts Also Great @ Dipen Panchasara – Cosine

I don't know why but, as for me, this is only working if you set linespacing >= 1, I tried to set 0.5 / 0.75, it has no effect – Alderman

No need for NSMutableAttributedString. Can use NSAttributedString(string: "Your text", attributes: [NSAttributedString.Key.paragraphStyle : paragraphStyle]) – Caudate

lineSpacing doesn't work with 0.5, 0.75 values. You should use -1, -2, -3 etc. – Fussell

Answer 2

From Interface Builder:

Programmatically:

SWift 4 & 4.2

Using label extension

extension UILabel {

    func setLineSpacing(lineSpacing: CGFloat = 0.0, lineHeightMultiple: CGFloat = 0.0) {

        guard let labelText = self.text else { return }

        let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()
        paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = lineSpacing
        paragraphStyle.lineHeightMultiple = lineHeightMultiple

        let attributedString:NSMutableAttributedString
        if let labelattributedText = self.attributedText {
            attributedString = NSMutableAttributedString(attributedString: labelattributedText)
        } else {
            attributedString = NSMutableAttributedString(string: labelText)
        }

        // (Swift 4.2 and above) Line spacing attribute
        attributedString.addAttribute(NSAttributedString.Key.paragraphStyle, value:paragraphStyle, range:NSMakeRange(0, attributedString.length))


        // (Swift 4.1 and 4.0) Line spacing attribute
        attributedString.addAttribute(NSAttributedStringKey.paragraphStyle, value:paragraphStyle, range:NSMakeRange(0, attributedString.length))

        self.attributedText = attributedString
    }
}

Now call extension function

let label = UILabel()
let stringValue = "Set\nUILabel\nline\nspacing"

// Pass value for any one argument - lineSpacing or lineHeightMultiple
label.setLineSpacing(lineSpacing: 2.0) .  // try values 1.0 to 5.0

// or try lineHeightMultiple
//label.setLineSpacing(lineHeightMultiple = 2.0) // try values 0.5 to 2.0

Or using label instance (Just copy & execute this code to see result)

let label = UILabel()
let stringValue = "Set\nUILabel\nline\nspacing"
let attrString = NSMutableAttributedString(string: stringValue)
var style = NSMutableParagraphStyle()
style.lineSpacing = 24 // change line spacing between paragraph like 36 or 48
style.minimumLineHeight = 20 // change line spacing between each line like 30 or 40

// Line spacing attribute
attrString.addAttribute(NSAttributedStringKey.paragraphStyle, value: style, range: NSRange(location: 0, length: stringValue.characters.count))

// Character spacing attribute
attrString.addAttribute(NSAttributedStringKey.kern, value: 2, range: NSMakeRange(0, attrString.length))

label.attributedText = attrString

Swift 3

let label = UILabel()
let stringValue = "Set\nUILabel\nline\nspacing"
let attrString = NSMutableAttributedString(string: stringValue)
var style = NSMutableParagraphStyle()
style.lineSpacing = 24 // change line spacing between paragraph like 36 or 48
style.minimumLineHeight = 20 // change line spacing between each line like 30 or 40
attrString.addAttribute(NSParagraphStyleAttributeName, value: style, range: NSRange(location: 0, length: stringValue.characters.count))
label.attributedText = attrString

Term

"NSAttributedStringKey.paragraphStyle" had error, I used "NSParagraphStyleAttributeName" instead. – Supersonics

@Alfi - It's difference of Swift language version. Your project's swift lang. version may be swift 3.x and here are answers for both versions. Try with Swift 3 code. – Term

Hii @krunal, I have set Linespacing and LineHeight in Interface and I set text in UILabel Programmatically but it not working. if I add text in Interface then it work. can you please help me for this Thank You and I also set attributedText and text in UILabel but that approach is not working for me. – Emeldaemelen

interface builder solution is only for static text. when we add attributed string in code , those attribute which is added from interface builder is not applied. – Goren

Works for me. But be aware that it resets any NSTextAlignment previously applied to label. – Flinders

Answer 3

You can control the line spacing in storyboard.

Same question.

Surpass

I actually tried this. But its not working. Also this is not useful for custom fonts. – Photofluorography

If you are facing mis-alignment in custom fonts, try to update the ascender property as mentioned here. – Surpass

Its not mis-alignment problem. I cannot select my custom font with the solution you said@Surpass – Photofluorography

Its not mis-alignment problem. I couldnt select my custom font.But now I solved that by adding my Font through settings seperately in Attributed. But still spacing remains the same.@Surpass – Photofluorography

I am able to update line spacing. Check video here. – Surpass

This is for static text only. Try adding text programatticaly. This won't work. – Photofluorography

This solution doesn't work when you add text programmatically – Monogenic

Answer 4

Recent solution for Swift 5.0

private extension UILabel {

    // MARK: - spacingValue is spacing that you need
    func addInterlineSpacing(spacingValue: CGFloat = 2) {

        // MARK: - Check if there's any text
        guard let textString = text else { return }

        // MARK: - Create "NSMutableAttributedString" with your text
        let attributedString = NSMutableAttributedString(string: textString)

        // MARK: - Create instance of "NSMutableParagraphStyle"
        let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()

        // MARK: - Actually adding spacing we need to ParagraphStyle
        paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = spacingValue

        // MARK: - Adding ParagraphStyle to your attributed String
        attributedString.addAttribute(
            .paragraphStyle,
            value: paragraphStyle,
            range: NSRange(location: 0, length: attributedString.length
        ))

        // MARK: - Assign string that you've modified to current attributed Text
        attributedText = attributedString
    }

}

And the usage:

let yourLabel = UILabel()
let yourText = "Hello \n world \n !"
yourLabel.text = yourText
yourLabel.addInterlineSpacing(spacingValue: 1.5)

Minoru

This of course will only work if you're using UILabel.text and not UILabel.attributedText – Eolian

Working for me. – Piercy

Answer 5

Swift 4 and Swift 5

extension NSAttributedString {
    func withLineSpacing(_ spacing: CGFloat) -> NSAttributedString {
        let attributedString = NSMutableAttributedString(attributedString: self)
        let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()
        paragraphStyle.lineBreakMode = .byTruncatingTail
        paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = spacing
        attributedString.addAttribute(.paragraphStyle,
                                      value: paragraphStyle,
                                      range: NSRange(location: 0, length: string.count))
        return NSAttributedString(attributedString: attributedString)
    }
}

How to use

    let example = NSAttributedString(string: "This is Line 1 \nLine 2 \nLine 3 ").withLineSpacing(15)
    testLabel.attributedText = example

Stickybeak

Answer 6

You can use this reusable extension:

extension String {

func lineSpaced(_ spacing: CGFloat) -> NSAttributedString {
    let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()
    paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = spacing
    let attributedString = NSAttributedString(string: self, attributes: [NSAttributedString.Key.paragraphStyle: paragraphStyle])
    return attributedString
}
}

Designation

Answer 7

Dipen's answer updated for Swift 4

let attr = NSMutableAttributedString(string: today)
let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()
paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = 2
attr.addAttribute(.paragraphStyle, value: paragraphStyle, range: NSMakeRange(0, attr.length))
label.attributedText = attr;

Orella

This is no way Swift 4. – Slavism

Answer 8

extension UILabel {
    var spacing: CGFloat {
        get {return 0}
        set {
            let textAlignment = self.textAlignment
            let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()
            paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = newValue
            let attributedString = NSAttributedString(string: self.text ?? "", attributes: [NSAttributedString.Key.paragraphStyle: paragraphStyle])
            self.attributedText = attributedString
            self.textAlignment = textAlignment
        }
    }
}

---

let label = UILabel()
label.text = "test"
label.spacing = 10

Backsheesh

Answer 9

//Swift 4:
    func set(text:String,
                         inLabel:UILabel,
                         withLineSpacing:CGFloat,
                         alignment:NSTextAlignment){
            let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()
            paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = withLineSpacing
            let attrString = NSMutableAttributedString(string: text)
            attrString.addAttribute(NSAttributedStringKey.paragraphStyle,
                                    value:paragraphStyle,
                                    range:NSMakeRange(0, attrString.length))
            inLabel.attributedText = attrString
            inLabel.textAlignment = alignment
          }

Overblouse

Answer 10

Create LabelStyle

struct LabelStyle {
    
        let font: UIFont
        let fontMetrics: UIFontMetrics?
        let lineHeight: CGFloat?
        let tracking: CGFloat
        
        init(font: UIFont, fontMetrics: UIFontMetrics? = nil, lineHeight: CGFloat? = nil, tracking: CGFloat = 0) {
            self.font = font
            self.fontMetrics = fontMetrics
            self.lineHeight = lineHeight
            self.tracking = tracking
        }
        
        func attributes(for alignment: NSTextAlignment, lineBreakMode: NSLineBreakMode) -> [NSAttributedString.Key: Any] {
            
            let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()
            paragraphStyle.alignment = alignment
            paragraphStyle.lineBreakMode = lineBreakMode
            
            var baselineOffset: CGFloat = .zero
            
            if let lineHeight = lineHeight {
                let lineHeightMultiple = lineHeight / font.lineHeight
                paragraphStyle.lineHeightMultiple = lineHeightMultiple
                
                baselineOffset = 1 / lineHeightMultiple
                
                let scaledLineHeight: CGFloat = fontMetrics?.scaledValue(for: lineHeight) ?? lineHeight
                paragraphStyle.minimumLineHeight = scaledLineHeight
                paragraphStyle.maximumLineHeight = scaledLineHeight
            }
            
            return [
                NSAttributedString.Key.paragraphStyle: paragraphStyle,
                NSAttributedString.Key.kern: tracking,
                NSAttributedString.Key.baselineOffset: baselineOffset,
                NSAttributedString.Key.font: font
            ]
        }
    }

Create custom Label class and use our style

public class Label: UILabel {
  
  var style: LabelStyle? { nil }
  
  public override func traitCollectionDidChange(_ previousTraitCollection: UITraitCollection?) {
    super.traitCollectionDidChange(previousTraitCollection)
    
    if previousTraitCollection?.preferredContentSizeCategory != traitCollection.preferredContentSizeCategory {
      updateText()
    }
  }
  
  convenience init(text: String?, textColor: UIColor) {
    self.init()
    self.text = text
    self.textColor = textColor
  }
  
  override init(frame: CGRect) {
    super.init(frame: frame)
    commonInit()
  }
  
  required init?(coder aDecoder: NSCoder) {
    super.init(coder: aDecoder)
    commonInit()
    updateText()
  }
  
  private func commonInit() {
    font = style?.font
    adjustsFontForContentSizeCategory = true
  }
  
  private func updateText() {
    text = super.text
  }
  
  public override var text: String? {
    get {
      guard style?.attributes != nil else {
        return super.text
      }
      
      return attributedText?.string
    }
    set {
      guard let style = style else {
        super.text = newValue
        return
      }
      
      guard let newText = newValue else {
        attributedText = nil
        super.text = nil
        return
      }
      
      let attributes = style.attributes(for: textAlignment, lineBreakMode: lineBreakMode)
      attributedText = NSAttributedString(string: newText, attributes: attributes)
    }
  }
}

Create concrete Label

public final class TitleLabel {

    override var style: LabelStyle? {
        LabelStyle(
            font: UIFont.Title(),
            lineHeight: 26.21,
            tracking: 0.14
        )
    }
}

and use it

@IBOutlet weak var titleLabel: TitleLabel!

Chastity

Answer 11

In addition to using attributed strings & paragraph styles, for small adjustemnts, font descriptors can also come in handy.

For instance:

let font: UIFont = .init(
    descriptor: UIFontDescriptor
        .preferredFontDescriptor(withTextStyle: .body)
        .withSymbolicTraits(.traitLooseLeading)!,
    size: 0
)

This will create a font with a looser leading, resulting in a text with a slightly larger line height (it adds 2 points) than the default system font. traitTightLeading can also be used for the opposite effect (it reduces the leading of the font by 2 points).

I wrote a blog post comparing the approaches here: https://bootstragram.com/blog/line-height-with-uikit/.

Spectroradiometer

Answer 12

This solution worked for swift 5 this is reference to answer of https://mcmap.net/q/23524/-how-to-increase-line-spacing-in-uilabel-in-swift

I Made some changes for "NSMutableAttributedString" and included the full example, i think it will help u all

Note: Please Adjust Color and Font style if found any error.

Extension

extension NSAttributedString {
    func withLineSpacing(_ spacing: CGFloat) -> NSMutableAttributedString {
            let attributedString = NSMutableAttributedString(attributedString: self)
            let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()
            paragraphStyle.lineBreakMode = .byTruncatingTail
            paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = spacing
            attributedString.addAttribute(.paragraphStyle,
                                  value: paragraphStyle,
                                  range: NSRange(location: 0, length: string.count))
            return NSMutableAttributedString(attributedString: attributedString)
    }
}

Implementation Example

let myAttributedText = NSMutableAttributedString(string: "Please enter the required details to change your AAAAAAAAA AAAAA AAAAA. Maximum AAAAA can be AAA AA AAA AA.\n\nNote: If you do not have a AAAAA AAAA then please AAAAAAA us at 111-111-111 or send us an email AAAA AAAA AAA AAAAAAAAAA AAAAA address at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.", attributes: [
        .font: UIFont.systemFont(ofSize: 14),
        .foregroundColor: UIColor.gray,
        .kern: 0.0]).withLineSpacing(8)
    myAttributedText.addAttributes([
        .font: UIFont.systemFont(ofSize: 14),
        .foregroundColor: UIColor.blue],
                                   range: NSRange(location: 174, length: 11))
    myAttributedText.addAttributes([
        .font: UIFont.systemFont(ofSize: 14),
        .foregroundColor: UIColor.blue],
                                   range: NSRange(location: 248, length: 28))

UILable

let myLabel: UILabel = {
   let label = UILabel()
   label.textAlignment = .left
   label.numberOfLines = 0
   label.attributedText = myAttributedText //Here is your Attributed String
   return label
}() 

Vicariate

Answer 13

@discardableResult
func lineHeight(_ lineHeightMultiple: CGFloat) -> Self {
    guard let labelText = text else { return self}
    
    let fontHeight = font.lineHeight
    
    let paragraphStyle = NSMutableParagraphStyle()
    paragraphStyle.lineSpacing = fontHeight * (lineHeightMultiple - 1)
    
    let attributedString = NSMutableAttributedString(string: labelText)
    attributedString.addAttribute(.paragraphStyle, value:paragraphStyle, range:NSMakeRange(0, attributedString.length))
    
    attributedText = attributedString
    
    return self
}

Chromatolysis