Using Web Templatess for Web Design: Tips and Best Practices--Make Reading Easy

If reading speed is important, use longer line lengths (100 characters per line) rather than shorter line lengths (55 characters per line).

Users read faster when line lengths are long, although they tend to prefer shorter line lengths. When designing, first determine if performance or preference is important. If user performance is critical, use longer line lengths to increase reading speed. However, if user preference is critical, use shorter line lengths.