Word has two kinds of vertical spacing. Line spacing is the space between lines inside a paragraph. Paragraph spacing is the space added before or after each paragraph. Most “my spacing looks wrong” problems are the second one.
Methods in this guide:
- Change line spacing for the whole document
- Customise line spacing options
- Change line spacing for selected text
- Adjust spacing before and after paragraphs
- Set a default for new documents
Changing line spacing for the whole document
Use this when the entire document needs one consistent spacing.
- Go to Design > Paragraph Spacing.
- Choose a preset such as Compact, Double or Relaxed, or No Paragraph Space for single-spaced text with no gaps between paragraphs.
- To return to the original look later, open the same menu and choose the option under Style Set.
Result: The spacing applies to the document’s styles, so new paragraphs follow it too.
Alternatively, press Ctrl + A (Cmd + A on Mac) and use the Home tab method below.
Customising line spacing options
Use this when you need a precise value, such as exactly 12 pt or 1.15.
- Go to Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing > Line Spacing Options.
- Under Spacing, open the Line spacing list and pick an option.
- If the option needs a value, enter it in At.
- Click OK.
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Single | Single-spaced lines |
| 1.5 lines | One and a half times single spacing |
| Double | Double-spaced lines |
| At least | Sets a minimum; Word grows the line for a larger font or image |
| Exactly | Fixes the line height in points, whatever the content |
| Multiple | A multiple of single spacing, such as 1.15 or 3 |
These definitions follow Microsoft’s page on adjusting indents and spacing.
Warning: Exactly can cut off the top of large characters, equations or inline pictures. Switch to At least if anything looks clipped.
Changing line spacing for selected text
Use this when only some paragraphs, such as a quote or a list, need different spacing.
- Select the paragraphs.
- Go to Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing.
- Choose 1.0, 1.15, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0.
You can also use these shortcuts on the selection:
- Single: Ctrl + 1 on Windows, Cmd + 1 on Mac
- 1.5 lines: Ctrl + 5 on Windows, Cmd + 5 on Mac
- Double: Ctrl + 2 on Windows, Cmd + 2 on Mac
Result: Only the selected paragraphs change. Line spacing is a paragraph setting, so selecting part of a paragraph changes the whole paragraph.
Adjusting spacing before and after paragraphs
Use this when the lines look fine but the gaps between paragraphs are too big or too small.
- Select the paragraphs.
- Go to Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing > Line Spacing Options.
- Under Spacing, change Before and After. Use 0 pt to remove the gap.
- Optionally select Don’t add space between paragraphs of the same style to keep list items tight.
- Click OK.
Result: The space between paragraphs changes without affecting the space between lines.
The Line and Paragraph Spacing menu also has quick Add Space Before Paragraph and Remove Space After Paragraph commands.
Setting default line spacing for new documents
Use this when every new document should start with your spacing.
- Go to Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing > Line Spacing Options.
- Set Line spacing, Before and After.
- Select Set As Default.
- Choose All documents based on the Normal template and click OK.
Microsoft documents this in Change the default line spacing in Word.
Comparing the methods
| Method | Best for | Works on |
|---|---|---|
| Design > Paragraph Spacing | Whole document, style-based | Windows, Mac |
| Line Spacing Options | Exact values, At least, Exactly, Multiple | Windows, Mac, web |
| Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing presets | Selected paragraphs | Windows, Mac, web |
| Before / After spacing | Gaps between paragraphs | Windows, Mac, web |
| Set As Default | All new documents | Windows, Mac |
Platform differences
- Windows: all methods above, plus Ctrl + 1, Ctrl + 2 and Ctrl + 5.
- Mac: the same menus, with Cmd + 1, Cmd + 2 and Cmd + 5. Format > Paragraph also opens the spacing dialog.
- Word for the web: Home > Line Spacing works on selected text, but Microsoft notes that new documents go back to 1.15. There is no Set As Default.
Troubleshooting line spacing in Word
- Spacing won’t change: the paragraphs may use Exactly. Open Line Spacing Options and switch to Single or Multiple.
- One line has a bigger gap: a larger font, inline image or equation is on that line. Use Exactly, or shrink the object.
- Justified text has wide gaps between words: that’s word spacing, not line spacing. See how to remove extra spaces in justified text.
- Spacing changed after pasting: pasted text brings its own paragraph format. Paste with Keep Text Only, then reapply your spacing.
- A blank page appeared after increasing spacing: extra paragraph space can push a paragraph onto a new page. See how to delete a blank page in Word.
- Spacing shifted after converting a Google Doc: the two editors lay out text differently. See how to convert Google Docs to Word without losing formatting, then recheck Line Spacing Options.
For more layout help, browse the Microsoft Word guides.