How to fix avoid inline spacing on WooCommerce

Steps for WooCommerce

1. In WordPress admin, go to Appearance → Theme File Editor (or use a code editor via FTP/SFTP).
2. Open the template file containing the inline styles — commonly `woocommerce/single-product.php` or a block template — and search for `style=`.
3. Add your CSS class definitions to your child theme's `style.css` (never edit the parent theme directly).
4. Replace each inline `style` attribute with the matching class name in the template.
5. If the inline style is coming from the Block Editor (Gutenberg), select the block, go to Block settings → Advanced → Additional CSS class, and style it via `style.css`; remove any spacing values set in the block's Typography panel that output as inline styles.
6. Use the axe DevTools browser extension to verify the issue is resolved after saving.

What is avoid inline spacing?

When spacing properties like `line-height`, `letter-spacing`, `word-spacing`, or `margin-top`/`padding-top` are written directly onto an HTML element using a `style="..."` attribute, they become "locked in" — they cannot be overridden by a user's custom browser stylesheet or accessibility tool. WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.4.12 (Text Spacing) requires that users can adjust these four specific spacing properties without losing content or functionality. Inline styles break that guarantee because they have the highest CSS specificity, overriding even `!important` rules in many situations. The fix is to move those spacing values into an external or internal stylesheet (a CSS class), where they can be adjusted by assistive tools and user stylesheets.

People with dyslexia, low vision, or cognitive disabilities often rely on browser extensions or operating-system settings that increase line height, letter spacing, or word spacing to make text readable. When your store hard-codes these values as inline styles, those overrides are silently blocked — text can become unreadable or overlap other content, directly causing a visitor to abandon your store. This is a WCAG 2.1 Level AA failure, meaning it exposes you to legal risk under regulations like the ADA (US), EN 301 549 (EU), and the UK Equality Act. It also affects the growing number of accessibility-overlay tools that customers use. Fixing it broadens your potential customer base, reduces legal exposure, and signals to search engines and auditors that your site meets modern quality standards.

See the complete Avoid inline spacing guide for every platform and the full background.