How to Double Space a Word Document (Every Method Explained)

Double spacing is one of the most commonly requested formatting changes in Microsoft Word — whether you're submitting an essay, preparing a manuscript, or following a style guide like APA or MLA. The process is straightforward, but the right way to do it depends on whether you want to format a document from scratch, adjust existing text, or set a new default for all future documents.

Here's exactly how it works, across every major version and platform.

What Double Spacing Actually Does

When you apply double spacing in Word, you're increasing the line spacing — the vertical gap between each line of text — to twice the height of a single-spaced line. This creates more white space between lines, making text easier to read and leaving room for handwritten annotations or editorial comments.

Double spacing is measured in Word as a line spacing value of 2.0. This is different from adding extra paragraph spacing (the space between paragraphs), which is a separate setting entirely. Confusing the two is one of the most common formatting mistakes.

How to Double Space Selected Text in Word (Windows & Mac) 🖥️

If you only want to double space a portion of your document:

1. Select the text you want to format by clicking and dragging.
2. Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.
3. In the Paragraph group, click the Line and Paragraph Spacing button (it looks like lines with arrows pointing up and down).
4. Choose 2.0 from the dropdown menu.

That's it. The selected text will immediately switch to double spacing.

Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest Method)

Once your text is selected, press:

• Ctrl + 2 (Windows)
• Command + 2 (Mac)

This instantly applies double spacing without touching the ribbon. It's the quickest method when you're already working in a document.

How to Double Space an Entire Document

If you want the whole document double spaced:

1. Press Ctrl + A (Windows) or Command + A (Mac) to select all text.
2. Then use either the ribbon method or keyboard shortcut above.

This catches body text, headings, and any other formatted sections in one step.

How to Set Double Spacing Before You Start Typing

If you want to begin a new document already formatted for double spacing:

1. Open a blank document.
2. Go to Home → Line and Paragraph Spacing → 2.0before typing anything.
3. Everything you type from that point will be double spaced automatically.

Alternatively, use the Paragraph dialog box for more precise control:

1. Go to Home → Paragraph and click the small arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Paragraph group.
2. Under Line spacing, select Double from the dropdown.
3. Click OK.

Removing Extra Space Between Paragraphs 📄

Here's where a lot of people run into trouble. Word's default settings often add extra space after each paragraph (typically 8pt or 10pt). When you apply double spacing, this added paragraph spacing can make your document look more than double spaced — especially if a style guide requires tight formatting.

To remove this:

1. Open the Paragraph dialog box (Home → Paragraph → small arrow).
2. Under Spacing, set Before and After to 0pt.
3. Make sure Line spacing is set to Double.
4. Click OK.

This distinction matters most for academic submissions — APA and MLA formatting both expect true double spacing without additional paragraph gaps.

How to Change the Default Spacing for All Future Documents

If you use double spacing regularly, setting it as your default saves time:

1. Open the Paragraph dialog box.
2. Set your preferred spacing (Double, 0pt before/after).
3. Click Set As Default in the bottom-left corner.
4. Choose whether to apply it to this document only or all documents based on the Normal template.

Choosing the Normal template option applies the change globally — every new blank Word document will open with double spacing going forward.

Double Spacing in Word for the Web and Word on Mobile

Word for the Web (Browser-Based)

The same controls are available, though the interface is slightly simplified:

1. Select your text (or press Ctrl + A for all).
2. Go to Home → Line Spacing in the toolbar.
3. Select 2.0.

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + 2 also works in the browser version.

Word on iPhone or Android 📱

1. Select your text.
2. Tap the formatting icon (often looks like an "A" with lines).
3. Navigate to Paragraph settings.
4. Tap Line Spacing and select 2.

The mobile interface varies slightly between iOS and Android, and between older and newer versions of the Word app — but the Line Spacing option is always found within paragraph formatting controls.

Key Variables That Affect Your Approach

The method that works best depends on whether you're retroactively formatting a document, starting fresh, working within a specific style guide, or switching between desktop and mobile versions of Word. Each scenario calls for a slightly different approach — and the spacing settings in the Paragraph dialog give you the precision to handle all of them.