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# kCTKernAttributeName

The amount to kern the next character.

```
let kCTKernAttributeName: CFString
```

## Discussion

The value associated with this attribute must be a <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/CoreFoundation/CFNumber> float. Default is standard kerning. The kerning attribute indicates how many points the following character should be shifted from its default offset as defined by the current character’s font in points: a positive kern indicates a shift farther away from and a negative kern indicates a shift closer to the current character. If this attribute is not present, standard kerning is used. If this attribute is set to `0.0`, no kerning is done at all.

---

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