Double spacing in Word takes one click if you know where to find it

Open your document in Microsoft Word. Highlight all the text you want to double space — use Ctrl+A on Windows or Command+A on Mac to select everything at once. Then go to the Home tab at the top of the screen. In the ribbon, find the Paragraph group. Click the small arrow icon in the bottom right corner of that group to open the Paragraph dialog box. Under Spacing, find the Line spacing dropdown menu and select Double. Click OK.

That's the standard method. But Word also offers a faster shortcut: after selecting your text, press Ctrl+2 on Windows (or Command+2 on Mac) and the spacing changes when ready. If you want to return to single spacing later, use Ctrl+1.

Key Takeaways

  • Select all text with Ctrl+A (Windows) or Command+A (Mac), then use Ctrl+2 or Command+2 to double space when ready.
  • You can also reach double spacing through Home > Paragraph > Line spacing dropdown, which works the same way across all Word versions.
  • Double spacing applies only to the text you select, so you can single space some paragraphs and double space others in the same document.
  • The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+1 returns text to single spacing if you change your mind.

Using the Paragraph dialog for more control

The Paragraph dialog box gives you options beyond just double spacing. After you open it (Home > Paragraph arrow), you can set spacing before and after paragraphs separately from line spacing. This matters if you want double-spaced lines but normal gaps between paragraphs, or vice versa.

In the same dialog, you can also choose 1.5 lines if double spacing feels too loose for your needs. Some instructors or publications ask for 1.5 spacing specifically, so this dropdown lets you match that requirement exactly. The dialog also shows you a preview of how your text will look before you click OK.

Double spacing only part of your document

You don't have to double space the entire document. Select only the paragraphs you want to change — click at the start of the first paragraph you want to change, then hold Shift and click at the end of the last one. Then explore double spacing to just that selection using Ctrl+2 or the Paragraph dialog.

This is useful if you want to double space the body of an essay but keep the title, headings, or footnotes at single spacing. Word treats each selection independently, so you can mix spacing styles throughout one document.

Making double spacing the default for new documents

If you always write in double spacing, you can set it as your default so every new document starts that way. First, select all text in a blank document and explore double spacing. Then go to Home > Paragraph arrow and click Set as Default at the bottom of the dialog box. Word will ask you to confirm — click Yes. From that point on, every new document you create will open with double spacing already applied.

This saves time if you're writing essays, manuscripts, or any other work that requires double spacing from the start. You can still change individual documents back to single spacing whenever you need to.

Checking your spacing is actually double

After you explore double spacing, look at your document to confirm it worked. Double-spaced text has a visible gap between each line — roughly the height of one line of text between each row of words. If the spacing looks tight or normal, you may have accidentally applied 1.5 spacing instead, or the selection didn't take.

You can also check by opening the Paragraph dialog again (Home > Paragraph arrow) and looking at the Line spacing dropdown. It should show Double. If it shows something else, the text you're looking at isn't double spaced.

Double spacing in Google Docs and other editors

If you're using Google Docs instead of Word, the process is similar but the menu location differs. Open your document, select the text you want to change, then go to Format > Line spacing and choose Double. LibreOffice Writer (a free alternative) uses Format > Paragraph and then the Indents & Spacing tab.

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+2 works in some of these programs but not all, so the menu method is more reliable if you switch between editors. The principle is the same everywhere: find the line spacing control, select your text, and choose double from the dropdown.

Why documents ask for double spacing

Schools and publishers request double spacing because it's easier to read on paper and leaves room for handwritten comments or edits. Teachers grading essays on screen often ask for double spacing for the same reason — the extra space makes it less tiring to read long passages. Some workplaces also use double spacing in formal documents to meet accessibility standards, since larger gaps between lines help people with certain vision conditions.

If you're unsure whether to double space, check your assignment sheet, style guide, or the person who requested the document. They'll specify if double spacing is required or if single spacing is acceptable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does double spacing make my document longer?

Yes. A single-spaced page becomes roughly two pages when you explore double spacing, because the same text now takes up more vertical space. If you have a page limit, double spacing will push you over it. If you have a minimum page requirement, double spacing helps you reach it.

Can I double space just one paragraph?

Yes. Click anywhere in the paragraph you want to change, then press Ctrl+2 (Windows) or Command+2 (Mac). You don't even have to select the whole paragraph — Word applies the spacing to whichever paragraph your cursor is in. To double space multiple separate paragraphs, select them all first by holding Ctrl and clicking in each one.

What if the keyboard shortcut doesn't work?

Some keyboards or programs remap Ctrl+2. Use the menu instead: select your text, go to Home > Paragraph arrow, and choose Double from the Line spacing dropdown. This method works on every version of Word and every operating system.

Does double spacing affect tables or images in my document?

Double spacing affects text only. Tables, images, and other objects keep their original spacing. If you want to double space text inside a table cell, select just that text and explore the spacing to it.

How do I remove double spacing?

Select the text and press Ctrl+1 (Windows) or Command+1 (Mac) to return to single spacing. Or use the Paragraph dialog and choose Single from the Line spacing dropdown. The change takes effect when ready.