I don't really know the history behind this issue, but i did some digging/testing.
When i configure my ~/.Xdefaults as only: URxvt.font: xft:Monospace I get the behavior described in this bug. If I do a `xrdb -merge ~/.Xdefaults` from the command line, I get no change in behavior. HOWEVER, if I instead execute `xrdb -load ~/.Xdefaults`, then open a new terminal, line spacing is proper. Looking at the scripts in the /etc/ directory, i believe Ubuntu loads the ~/.Xdefaults using -merge. Digging deeper with xrdb -query, I added added the following line to my .Xdefaults: Xft.rgba: rgb Then the problem re-appears. Workaround for issue described in bug: run `xrdb -load ~/.Xdefaults` sometime early in the xinit process. letterspace patch seems hackish if issue can be worked around as above -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/309792 Title: rxvt-unicode: Excessive font spacing -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs