What a block quote is and when to use it
A block quote is a way to set off a longer passage of text — usually more than a few sentences — so readers can see at a glance that you are quoting someone else's words directly. Instead of running the quote into your own paragraph with quotation marks, you indent it, often on both sides, and usually in a slightly different size or style. This tells readers: "These are not my words; I am showing you what someone else wrote."
You use block quotes when you need to quote more than about three lines of text. A short quote fits fine in quotation marks within your paragraph. But when you are quoting a full sentence or more — especially if it is important to your argument — pulling it out as a block quote makes it easier to read and gives the quoted material the weight it deserves.
Key Takeaways
- Block quotes are formatted as indented, separated text rather than quoted text within a paragraph, and they signal to readers that you are showing someone else's exact words.
- Most document editors have a block quote button or menu option that automatically handles indentation and spacing for you.
- You still need to include a citation — the author, source, or both — either before or after the block quote so readers know where the words came from.
- Block quotes work the same way across Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and most other editors, though the button location varies slightly.
How to create a block quote in Google Docs
Open your document and place your cursor at the beginning of the text you want to turn into a block quote. Highlight the entire passage by clicking and dragging to the end, or by clicking at the start and shift-clicking at the end. The text should be visibly selected (usually shown in blue).
Look at the toolbar at the top of the page. Find the button that looks like quotation marks or the word "Quote" — in Google Docs, it is usually near the text formatting buttons. Click it. Google Docs will when ready indent the text on the left side, often adding a colored line or bar to the left edge as well. The text stays in the same font but is now visually separated from your regular paragraphs.
If you cannot find the quote button, use the Format menu instead. Click Format at the top, then look for "Paragraph" or "Text" options, and you should see a block quote or indentation choice there. Either route produces the same result.
How to create a block quote in Microsoft Word
Select the text you want to format as a block quote by clicking at the start and dragging to the end. Once the text is highlighted, look at the Home tab in the ribbon at the top of the window. You should see a button that looks like quotation marks or says "Quote" — click it. Word will indent the entire passage from the left margin.
If you do not see a quote button on the Home tab, click the arrow next to the indent button (the one that looks like lines with an arrow pointing right). A small menu will appear with indentation options, including one for block quotes. Select it and Word will format your text the same way.
You can also use the keyboard shortcut: select your text, then press Ctrl+Shift+M on Windows or Cmd+Shift+M on Mac. This toggles block quote formatting on and off when ready.
How to create a block quote in other editors
Most document editors follow the same pattern. Select your text, then look for a button or menu option labeled "Quote," "Block Quote," or "Increase Indent." LibreOffice, Apple Pages, and web-based editors like Notion all have this feature in slightly different places, but the principle is identical: highlight, click, done.
If your editor does not have a dedicated block quote button, you can create the same visual effect manually by increasing the left indent of the paragraph. Select the text, then use the indent controls (usually in the Format or Paragraph menu) to push the text in from the left. It will not have the automatic styling a block quote button provides, but readers will still see that the text is set apart.
Adding a citation to your block quote
A block quote without a source is confusing — readers will not know who said it or where it came from. After your block quote, add a citation. This can be as straightforward as writing the author's name and the source in parentheses, or a full footnote depending on the citation style your document uses (MLA, APA, Chicago, and others all have their own rules).
Place your citation either on the same line as the end of the quote, after a dash, or on a new line below the quote. For example: "The internet has changed how we find information." — Jane Smith, Digital Trends, 2023 or "The internet has changed how we find information." (Smith, 2023). Check whether your teacher, editor, or publication has a preferred citation format before you finalize your document.
Removing or adjusting block quote formatting
If you change your mind about a block quote, select it again and click the block quote button a second time. The formatting will toggle off and the text will return to normal indentation. You can also select a block quote and manually adjust its indentation using the indent controls if you want it less or more indented than the default.
Some editors let you customize how block quotes look — changing the indent amount, the color of the side bar, or the background color. Look in Format or Paragraph settings to find these options. For most purposes, the default formatting is fine and requires no adjustment.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is forgetting to cite your source. A block quote without attribution looks like you are claiming someone else's words as your own, which is plagiarism. Always include the author and source, even if it seems obvious to you where the quote came from.
Another mistake is using block quotes for short passages. If your quote is only one or two sentences, keep it in quotation marks within your paragraph instead. Block quotes are for longer passages that deserve their own space. Using them for everything makes your document harder to read and wastes space.
Do not change the words inside a block quote. If you need to leave out part of the original text, use ellipses (three dots: ...) to show where you cut something. If you need to add a word for clarity, put it in square brackets: [like this]. The whole point of a block quote is to show readers the exact words that were written.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use quotation marks around a block quote?
No. The indentation and formatting of the block quote itself signal that the text is a direct quote. Adding quotation marks around a block quote is redundant and looks wrong. Just indent the text and add your citation.
Can I edit text inside a block quote?
You can add ellipses or square brackets to show where you have cut or added words, but you should not change the original wording. If the original text has a typo or grammar error, you can add [sic] after it to show that the error was in the original, not your mistake.
What if my block quote is only one sentence?
If it is a short sentence, use quotation marks in your paragraph instead. Block quotes work best for passages of multiple sentences or longer quotes that need visual separation. A single short sentence usually does not need that treatment.
How much should I indent a block quote?
Most editors indent block quotes about half an inch from the left margin by default, which is the standard. You can adjust this in the paragraph settings if your citation style requires a different amount, but half an inch is the safe choice for most documents.
Can I use block quotes in emails or online messages?
Some email and messaging platforms support block quote formatting, usually through a button in the compose window or by typing a greater-than symbol (>) at the start of a line. Check your platform's formatting options. If block quotes are not available, you can use quotation marks or straightforward indent the text manually.