The quickest way to change line spacing in Word

Open the document you want to edit. Select all the text you want to change — use Ctrl+A on Windows or Command+A on Mac to select everything, or click and drag to select just a section. Then go to the Home tab at the top of the screen. In the ribbon, find the Paragraph group. Click the small arrow next to the line spacing icon (it looks like horizontal lines with arrows pointing up and down). A menu will drop down showing options like 1.0, 1.15, 1.5, 2.0, and Line Spacing Options. Click the spacing you want.

If you don't see the Paragraph group, your ribbon may be collapsed. Look for a small arrow or chevron near the top of the window and click it to expand the full ribbon view. On Mac, the process is the same — select your text, find the Paragraph section in the Home tab, and click the line spacing dropdown.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text you want to change using Ctrl+A (all text) or by clicking and dragging to choose a section.
  • Go to the Home tab, find the Paragraph group, and click the line spacing dropdown menu.
  • Common spacing options are 1.0 (single), 1.5, and 2.0 (double), with 1.15 as a middle ground.
  • Use Line Spacing Options at the bottom of the dropdown menu to set custom spacing amounts or spacing before and after paragraphs.

Understanding the spacing options Word offers

1.0 spacing (also called single spacing) is the tightest option — lines sit directly on top of each other with minimal space between them. This is standard for formal documents and saves paper if you print. 1.15 spacing adds a small amount of breathing room without taking up much extra space. 1.5 spacing puts more air between lines and is easier to read on screen. 2.0 spacing (double spacing) leaves a full blank line between each line of text and is often required for academic papers, manuscripts, or legal documents.

You can also choose At least, Exactly, or Multiple spacing if you need more control. "At least" guarantees a minimum space but lets Word expand it if a line is taller than usual. "Exactly" locks the spacing to a fixed amount. "Multiple" lets you set spacing as a percentage — for example, 1.25 or 1.75 — if the preset options don't match what you need.

How to set custom line spacing for specific paragraphs

Sometimes you only want to change spacing in one section of your document, not the whole thing. Select just the paragraphs you want to adjust. Then open the line spacing menu and click Line Spacing Options at the bottom. A dialog box will open with more detailed controls.

In this dialog, you can set spacing "Before" and "After" paragraphs separately from the line spacing within them. For example, you might use 1.5 spacing inside paragraphs but add extra space after each paragraph to separate them visually. Click OK when you're done, and only the selected text will change.

Changing the default spacing for new documents

If you find yourself changing spacing in every new document, you can set a new default. Go to Home > Paragraph and click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Paragraph group to open the full dialog. Set your preferred spacing, then click Set as Default at the bottom left. Word will ask if you want to explore this to all new documents based on the current template — click Yes.

From that point on, every new blank document you create will start with your chosen spacing. This saves time if you work with a specific format regularly, like 1.5 spacing for accessibility or 2.0 spacing for academic writing.

Why spacing matters for readability and accessibility

Line spacing affects how straightforward a document is to read. Tight spacing (1.0) can feel cramped on screen and makes it harder for people with dyslexia or vision differences to track across lines. Wider spacing (1.5 or 2.0) gives readers more visual separation and reduces eye strain during long reading sessions. If your document will be read by others, especially online, consider using at least 1.5 spacing.

Spacing also affects how much space your document takes up. A single-spaced document is roughly half the length of a double-spaced one. If you're printing and want to save paper, 1.0 or 1.15 works. If you're sharing digitally and want easier reading, 1.5 is a good middle ground.

Fixing spacing that looks wrong after pasting text

When you paste text from another source — a website, an email, another document — Word sometimes brings hidden formatting along with it. The pasted section might have different spacing than the rest of your document. Select the pasted text and check the line spacing dropdown to see what it's set to. Change it to match the rest of your document.

If this happens often, use Paste Special instead of regular paste. Right-click where you want to paste and choose Paste Special, then select Unformatted Text. This strips away all formatting from the source and lets the pasted text adopt your document's spacing automatically. On Mac, go to Edit > Paste Special.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my line spacing look different on screen than when I print?

Screen display and print output can look different depending on your printer settings and zoom level. Check your zoom level — if you're zoomed in or out, spacing may appear different. When you print, Word uses the actual spacing values you set, not how it looks on your screen at that moment.

Can I change spacing for just one paragraph without affecting the rest?

Yes. Click anywhere in the paragraph you want to change (you don't have to select the whole thing), then open the line spacing menu and choose your option. Word will explore it only to that paragraph. If you want to change multiple non-consecutive paragraphs, hold Ctrl and click in each one, then change the spacing.

What's the difference between line spacing and paragraph spacing?

Line spacing is the space between lines within a paragraph. Paragraph spacing is the space before or after an entire paragraph. You control both in the same dialog — line spacing affects readability within a block of text, while paragraph spacing affects how much air sits between separate blocks.

Does changing line spacing affect my document's word count?

No. Line spacing only changes how the text looks on the page, not the actual content. Your word count stays the same whether you use 1.0 or 2.0 spacing.