Looking for a way to make your Word documents appear more professional and readable? Knowing how to double space in Word is a simple formatting trick that can improve your structure.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to get that clean white space in the various versions of Word, as well as when and where you need it.

Article Roadmap

• What is Double Spacing in Word?
• How to Double Space Everything in Word
  • For Most Versions
  • Microsoft Office 365 (Microsoft Word 2016 to 2023)
  • Microsoft Word 2007, 2010 & 2013
  • Microsoft Word 2003
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
• How Can I change the Default Spacing in Word?
• Double Spacing for Some Text
• Double Spacing for New Paragraph
• Why Use Double Spacing?
• When Should I Double Space?
• FAQs
• Conclusion

What is Double Spacing in Word?

Double spacing is a type of formatting that adds a blank space between every line of text, like an extra layer of padding.

That extra space gives your document a cleaner, less cluttered look. Double spacing is common for academic papers, legal documents and business reports.

Don’t Forget the Point

In typography, a point is a standard unit of measurement for font size and spacing. It may make writing feel more like math, but understanding points helps you meet specific formatting guidelines.

When you set double spacing in Word, there will be twice the standard amount of vertical space (measured in points) between each line of text.

• Single spacing: 1.0 lines = 12 points
• Double spacing: 2.0 lines = 24 points

For Customizing Line Spacing: Customize the line spacing to any value you want by using the Exactly or Multiple settings in the Paragraph menu.

How to Double Space Everything in Word

For Most Versions

Use the following methods to master how to double space in Word, from a single paragraph to all the text in desktop and mobile versions of Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and Microsoft 365:

Use the Spacing Menu

1. Go to the toolbar.
2. Click the button with four lines (as pictured below)
3. Select the 2.0 spacing option.

Use Design

1. Go to the Design menu.
2. Go to Paragraph Spacing
3. Click Double

If there’s no Design option in your menu, try this:

1. Click Home.
2. Search for alignment options. (Left, middle, right or justified)
3. Locate the button right next to it for double spacing.

Microsoft Office 365 (Microsoft Word 2016 to 2023)

Use Paragraph

1. Go to the Home tab.
2. Go to the Paragraph group.
3. Click Option.
4. Use the line spacing options for the desired spacing.

Double Spacing For Microsoft Word 2007, 2010 and 2013

Use Styles

1. Click the Home tab.
2. Click Styles.
3. Click Normal or the first option.
4. Select Modify on the drop-down menu.
5. Under formatting, click double space.
6. Click OK.

Quick Tip: If you don’t want to change the formatting of a Normal style, you can create a new style just for double spacing.

1. Go to Styles.
2. Click the More Options button.
3. Click New Style and name it something you’ll remember when you refer back to it and hit OK.
4. Right-click the newly created style, then select Modify.
5. Under formatting, click double space.
6. Click OK.

Use Page Layout

1. Go to Page Layout.
2. Click the down arrow in the bottom right corner.
3. You’ll see this right next to the Paragraph window.
4. Go to Indents and Spacing.
5. Click the down arrow next to the box for line spacing.
6. Double click OK.

Microsoft Word 2003

1. Select the text you’re going to double space.
2. Press Ctrl+A (or ⌘ Command+A on Mac) to select all the text.
3. Go to Format and go to Paragraph.
4. Click the Line Spacing drop-down box.
5. Pick your desired spacing option.
6. Click OK.

Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Highlight your text.
2. Use Ctrl+1 (⌘ Command+1 for Mac) to single space.
3. Use Ctrl+2 (⌘ Command+2 for Mac) to double space.
4. Use Ctrl+5 (⌘ Command+2 for Mac) for 1.5 spacing.

How Can I Change the Default Spacing in Word?

Step 1: Click Home then select Line and Paragraph Spacing

Step 2: Under the Spacing menu, select your preferred option in the Line Spacing box.

Step 3: Click Set as Default.
Step 4: Choose All documents based on Normal Template.

Step 5: Click OK.

Double Spacing for Some Text

This strategy works for double-spacing specific text parts in Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and Microsoft 365.

Use Format

1. Highlight the text you want to double space.
2. Right-click the highlighted text.
3. Click Format and then Paragraph. (This may be labeled only as Paragraph in some versions of Word.)
4. In the Paragraph window, go to the tab Indents and Spacing.
5. Click the drop-down menu for line spacing.
6. Click Double.
7. Click OK.

Double Spacing for a New Paragraph

This strategy works for Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and Microsoft 365.

Use Ctrl+Enter

1. Press Enter for a new paragraph.
2. The default setting adds a space between the two graphs.
3. To go to the following line and not start a new paragraph, press Ctrl+Enter.

Why Use Double Spacing?

Improve Readability

Double spacing makes your text easier to read by providing more whitespace. This is especially helpful for long documents or documents with complex fonts.

Provide a Professional Appearance

Double spacing gives your documents a more professional look and feel. This is important for documents you will share with others, such as resumes or cover letters.

Simplify Editing

Double spacing makes adding comments or editing your document easier. This is helpful for both you and anyone else who needs to review your work.

When Should I Double Space?

There’s no bad time to use double space, especially during editing. Double-spacing your work can make it easier to read and add comments on(or scribble notes if you print your document).

Double spacing is commonly used in schoolwork and professional settings and is a standard part of several grammar style books like APA, Chicago and MLA.

FAQs

You’ve got the Q’s, we’ve got the A’s.

What is the default spacing in Word?

The default line spacing is 1.15.

How do you get single-spaced text?

Select it from the dropdown menu.

What is the Exactly setting?

This setting allows you to set an exact amount of space between lines, measured in points.

How big is a point?

A total of 72 points is equivalent to one inch.

What is the Multiple setting?

This setting allows you to set the spacing higher than 2.0, such as triple spacing.

Does 1.5 count as double spaced?

No, but 1.5 spacing can be helpful for certain documents. Depending on the font and size, a 1.5 space may be a better option for readability.

When I press enter, why is the space too big in Word?

When you’ve already enabled double spacing in a document, hitting Enter between lines adds a third line of space. It’s up to you whether you like this style, although it’s not standard in most double-spaced documents.

Conclusion

With over a million businesses worldwide using Microsoft Office 365, mastering new formatting skills in Word won’t go to waste anytime soon. Double spacing is a simple yet powerful formatting tool that enhances your document’s readability and professional appearance.

By using the methods above, you’ll know how to double space in Word like a pro in no time and improve the quality of your work.

Now it’s your turn! Do you plan to start using double spacing in your documents? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!