white space

In graphic design and typography, this term refers to the intentional use of negative space to prevent visual clutter. It is not necessarily white in color, but represents the absence of content, which guides the eye and creates a sense of elegance or clarity.

In technical computing, the term is a collective category for any character that doesn't produce a visible glyph, such as the space bar, tab, or carriage return. These characters are often treated as delimiters or ignored by compilers.

When used in a business or strategic context, it describes a metaphorical void in the market. Finding white space involves identifying a customer need that is currently unmet by any competitor, allowing a company to innovate without direct competition.