Emetric is a typographic proportioning tool for Adobe InDesign. It turns type metrics into document geometry: page size, margins, grids, modules, guides, baseline grid, and optional reference pages.
Current version: 0.42.0-beta.1
Status: Public beta
License: Emetric Beta License — source-available, not open source.
Emetric helps designers build page systems from typographic relationships rather than from arbitrary measurements. It can use a selected font, built-in metric systems, or manual custom metrics to generate an InDesign document with a consistent modular structure.
The project builds on Kristian Möller’s Master’s thesis at Konstfack, Visual Type Instrument, where type metrics and proportional systems were explored as a basis for visual design tools.
Core uses:
- create type-defined document formats;
- test custom page sizes against typographic metrics;
- generate vertical and horizontal grids;
- calculate module areas, type areas, margins and gutters;
- create placeholder text and an optional Emetric Data page;
- use InDesign-native guides, layers, styles and grid preferences.
- Metric Source: Selected Font, Emetric Decimal, Emetric Dozenal, Custom Metric.
- Custom Metric uses the existing Type Size fields as manual, independent values.
- Vertical Grid Alignment reads the corresponding Type Size value directly in Custom Metric.
- Custom Format supports direct page size editing and editable grid interval/module fields.
- Page Size preset selector for common formats such as A4, A3, Letter, Legal and Tabloid.
- Separate sections for Page Size, Margins, Module Area, Type Area and Grid Modules.
- Optional Placeholder Text using InDesign’s [Basic Paragraph].
- Optional Emetric Data page.
- Layers are only created when their corresponding features are selected.
- Presets are stored locally per user.
- Compact View for fast iteration.
- Public beta documentation and manual test checklist.
- Download the latest release ZIP from GitHub Releases.
- Unzip it.
- Open Adobe InDesign.
- Run:
Emetric-0.42.0-beta.1.jsx
Recommended installation paths are documented in docs/installation.md.
Emetric/
├── .github/ Issue templates and GitHub metadata
├── dist/beta/ Versioned beta JSX file for distribution
├── docs/ Installation, beta notes, roadmap and images
│ └── img/ Screenshots used in README and docs
├── src/indesign/ Active source file
├── tests/ Manual beta test checklist
├── CHANGELOG.md
├── CONTRIBUTING.md
├── LICENSE.md Emetric Beta License
├── README.md
└── RELEASE_NOTES.md
The active source file is:
src/indesign/Emetric.jsx
The versioned file for this beta is:
dist/beta/Emetric-0.42.0-beta.1.jsx
Emetric stores saved presets locally, outside the InDesign document, at:
Folder.userData/Emetric/presets.json
On macOS this usually corresponds to:
~/Library/Application Support/Emetric/presets.json
See docs/presets.md.
Use tests/manual-test-checklist.md when testing Emetric in InDesign.
Please include the following in bug reports:
- Emetric version;
- Adobe InDesign version;
- operating system;
- selected font and font style;
- Metric Source;
- page size and grid settings;
- screenshot or screen recording when possible.
The next planned areas are documented in docs/roadmap.md, including:
- Japanese Q unit support;
- portrait/landscape orientation switching;
- continued beta feedback and stability fixes.
Emetric is distributed as a public beta under the Emetric Beta License. It is not open source. Redistribution, resale, sublicensing or repackaging is not permitted without written permission.
Future stable releases may require a paid commercial license.
See LICENSE.md.
Based on Kristian Möller’s Konstfack Master’s thesis, Visual Type Instrument, 2012–2014.
Copyright © 2012–2026 Kristian Möller / KTKM Design AB. All rights reserved.