A glyph-aware method for underlining text in digital typography includes identifying first and second intersection coordinates where first and second bounds of an underline region of the text intersect with an outline path of a glyph in the text. Where such intersections occur, a portion of the outline path of the glyph between the first and second intersection coordinates is copied. First and second offset coordinates for the underline are determined by adding or subtracting an offset to the first and second intersection coordinates. A first underline outline path is constructed in the underline region, where the first underline outline path includes the copied of the outline path of the glyph between the first and second intersection coordinates. A display device renders an underline, at least partially, along the first underline outline path between the first and second offset coordinates in the underline region of the text.