A method for rendering a document on a web browser includes receiving a portion of text within the document to be rendered on a web browser and determining a maximum height of the portion of text. A spacer element is inserted into the portion of text, where the spacer element has a height greater than the maximum height of the portion of text. A vertical position of the portion of text and the spacer element is adjusted by an offset, where a baseline of the portion of text is determined from the height of the spacer element and the offset. The portion of text is rendered on the web browser based at least in part on the baseline.