spacing-scale

name	spacing-scale
description	Generates consistent spacing tokens using base values and ratios. Use when creating margin/padding systems, gap tokens, or layout spacing. Outputs CSS custom properties, Tailwind config, or JSON tokens.

Spacing Scale Generator

Overview

Generate consistent spacing scales using a base value and ratio. Creates exponentially distributed values centered around a base unit for harmonious layouts.

When to Use

• Setting up spacing tokens for a new project
• Standardizing padding and margin values
• Creating a gap/grid system
• Migrating from arbitrary spacing to tokens

Quick Reference

Naming Style	Example Names	Best For
T-shirt	xs, sm, md, lg, xl	Semantic, readable
Numeric	100, 200, 300...	Precise, extensible

Unit	When to Use
px	Fixed layouts, pixel-perfect designs
rem	Scalable, respects user font settings
em	Component-relative spacing

The Process

1. Get base value: Default 4px or 0.25rem (common base unit)
2. Get ratio: How much each step grows (1.5 is balanced, 2 is dramatic)
3. Ask steps: How many spacing values (8-12 is typical)
4. Ask naming: T-shirt sizes (xs, sm, md, lg) or numeric (100, 200, 300)?
5. Ask unit: px, rem, or em?
6. Ask format: CSS, Tailwind, or JSON?
7. Generate: Create scale centered on base, expanding in both directions

Common Ratios

Ratio	Character	Example (base 4px)
1.25	Tight	2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
1.5	Balanced	1.8, 2.7, 4, 6, 9, 13.5
1.618	Golden	1.5, 2.5, 4, 6.5, 10.5, 17
2	Dramatic	1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32

Output Formats

CSS Custom Properties:

:root {
  --spacing-xs: 2px;
  --spacing-sm: 4px;
  --spacing-md: 8px;
  --spacing-lg: 16px;
  --spacing-xl: 32px;
}

Tailwind Config:

module.exports = {
  theme: {
    spacing: {
      'xs': '2px',
      'sm': '4px',
      'md': '8px',
      'lg': '16px',
      'xl': '32px',
    }
  }
}

JSON Tokens:

{
  "spacing": {
    "xs": "2px",
    "sm": "4px",
    "md": "8px",
    "lg": "16px",
    "xl": "32px"
  }
}

Algorithm

The scale is centered on the base value at the midpoint:

value = baseValue * (ratio ^ (step - midpoint))

For a 10-step scale with base 4 and ratio 1.5:

• Step 0 (5 below mid): 4 * 1.5^-5 = 0.53
• Step 5 (midpoint): 4 * 1.5^0 = 4
• Step 9 (4 above mid): 4 * 1.5^4 = 20.25

T-shirt Size Mapping

Full range: 3xs, 2xs, xs, sm, md, lg, xl, 2xl, 3xl, 4xl, 5xl, 6xl

The midpoint of your scale maps to "md" and expands outward.