# `GSLayer previousKerningForLayer:direction:`

*Instance Method*

Kerning value between a previous layer and this layer.

## Declaration

```objc
- (CGFloat) previousKerningForLayer:(GSLayer *) previousLayer direction:(GSWritingDirection) direction;
```

```python
previousKerningForLayer_direction_(previousLayer: GSLayer, direction: GSWritingDirection) -> float
```

## Parameters

- `previousLayer` — The layer before this layer.

## Discussion

The value is resolved for the layer’s associated master and the requested writing direction. Group kerning and kerning exceptions are considered. Returns `NSNotFound` when no kerning value is defined.

## See Also

### Kerning Values

- [`GSLayer.kerning`](/Core/GlyphsCore/GSLayer/kerning) — Kerning dictionary for observing kerning changes.
- [`GSLayer setPreviousKerning:forLayer:direction:`](/Core/GlyphsCore/GSLayer/setPreviousKerning:forLayer:direction:) — Sets the kerning value between a previous layer and this layer.
- [`GSLayer nextKerningForLayer:direction:`](/Core/GlyphsCore/GSLayer/nextKerningForLayer:direction:) — Kerning value between this layer and a next layer.
- [`GSLayer setNextKerning:forLayer:direction:`](/Core/GlyphsCore/GSLayer/setNextKerning:forLayer:direction:) — Sets the kerning value between this layer and a next layer.