Double spacing puts a full blank line between each line of text, which many teachers and editors require. Microsoft Word can apply it to your whole document or just a selected section in a couple of clicks.
What you'll need
- Microsoft Word
- A document
Step by step
- Select the textHighlight the paragraphs you want to double space. To change the entire document, press Ctrl+A on Windows or Command+A on a Mac to select everything.
- Open the Home tabClick the Home tab on the ribbon, where the paragraph and spacing controls live.
- Find the Line Spacing buttonIn the Paragraph group, look for the icon with up and down arrows next to lines of text, then click its small dropdown arrow.
- Choose 2.0Select 2.0 from the list to apply double spacing to your selected text.
- Remove extra paragraph spacing if neededIf gaps look too large, open the same menu and choose Remove Space Before Paragraph and Remove Space After Paragraph so only the line spacing changes.
Handy tips
- Ctrl+2 on Windows is a quick shortcut to double space the selected text.
- To make double spacing the default, change the line spacing in the Normal style through the Design or Styles options.
- For precise control, open the Line and Paragraph Spacing menu, choose Line Spacing Options, and set an exact value.
FAQ
What is the difference between line spacing and paragraph spacing?
Line spacing controls the gap between lines within a paragraph, while paragraph spacing adds space before or after whole paragraphs. Double spacing sets the line spacing to 2.0.
Why is there still too much space between paragraphs?
Word may add extra space after each paragraph on top of double spacing. Choose Remove Space After Paragraph from the spacing menu to tighten it.
Can I double space only part of my document?
Yes. Select just the paragraphs you want to change before applying 2.0, and the rest of the document keeps its current spacing.