Photoshop leaves large gaps between words

Before changing the text layout

Save a separate layered copy first. Changing paragraph layout can alter line breaks and move the last lines out of view, even though the wording stays the same.

Compare word gaps with letter gaps

Click in the affected text with the Horizontal Type tool, then compare a full line with its short final line. Do not replace the font simply because the paragraph looks stretched.

These checks apply to editable horizontal English text, not a flattened image of lettering. If Photoshop actually reports a missing font, follow the different font-restoration guide.

Change the paragraph that needs correction

1. With the Type tool active, click inside the affected paragraph. Select a range across paragraphs only if they should all change.
2. Open Window > Paragraph and note the active justification choice.
3. Choose Justify Last Left when the full lines should still meet both edges. Choose Left Align Text when the right edge may remain uneven.
4. Commit the edit using the checkmark in the Options bar. Compare the whole text block, including the bottom line.

Adobe's paragraph-formatting guide shows the controls. Its paragraph reference distinguishes last-line alignment from forcing every line to justify.

Consider a narrow information box ending with the three-word sentence Book a session. It does not need to spread those few words from edge to edge. Choosing a last-line alignment solves that layout decision without squeezing every letter in the paragraph.

If justification controls are unavailable for point text, Type > Convert to Paragraph Text makes a text box available. Do that only when a wrapping paragraph is what you need; a single-line label may be better left as point text.

Inspect a spacing value only if the gaps remain

For word gaps, keep the affected paragraph selected and choose Justification from the Paragraph panel menu. Record the existing values before changing them. Adobe defines Desired Word Spacing of 100% as adding no extra word space. Compare that value on the working copy if an unexpected custom setting is present. Minimum and Maximum values govern the allowed range for justified paragraphs; changing Desired alone does not turn justification off.

For wide spacing inside words, select the actual characters and open Window > Character. Note Tracking, then compare the selection at 0. Positive tracking adds spacing; negative tracking tightens it. Adobe's character-spacing instructions separate tracking across a selection from kerning between one pair. Keep intentional headline tracking if it belongs to the design.

Recheck wrapping before exporting

With the Type tool active, click inside the paragraph and inspect its box and final visible line. Adobe's type guide explains that changing the paragraph box reflows the text. Resize that box if the layout permits; do not use a whole-layer transform merely to close gaps, because transforming a text layer also resizes the lettering.

Keep the original PSD and compare the exported copy at its intended reading size. If spacing stays wrong in a small editable example, use the Community link in Adobe's paragraph guide with the Photoshop version, alignment choice, and selected Paragraph and Character settings. Share sample wording rather than client text.