Line spacing options in Word control the gap between the lines inside a paragraph. The menu offers 1.0 to 3.0, and the Paragraph dialog adds At least, Exactly and Multiple. If you only need to switch spacing quickly, see how to change line spacing in Word; this guide explains what every setting actually means.
In this guide, you’ll learn what single, 1.15, 1.5 and double spacing measure, how At least, Exactly and Multiple differ, and which setting to use for essays, reports and forms. Everything here applies to Word for Windows in Microsoft 365, Word 2021, 2019 and 2016.
Where to Find Line Spacing Options in Word
- Quick menu: Home tab > Line and Paragraph Spacing button, with 1.0 to 3.0.
- Every option: click Line Spacing Options at the bottom of that menu to open the Paragraph dialog.
Single, 1.15, 1.5 and Double
These are all multiples of “one line”, and one line is the natural height of the font you are using — a little more than the font size. In our test on 12 pt text, Word stored single as 12 pt, 1.5 as 18 pt and double as 24 pt, and 1.15 as 13.8 pt.
| Setting | Gap compared with single | Shortcut | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single (1.0) | Same | Ctrl + 1 | Letters, tables, forms, CVs |
| 1.15 | 15% more | — | Everyday documents; easier to read than single |
| 1.5 | 50% more | Ctrl + 5 | Drafts, reports, many school rules |
| Double (2.0) | Twice as much | Ctrl + 2 | Essays, manuscripts, documents for marking |
👉 For step-by-step guides, see single spacing, 1.5 spacing and double spacing.
Multiple
Multiple lets you type any value in the At box, such as 1.15, 1.25 or 3. The quick-menu values 1.15, 2.5 and 3.0 are all Multiple settings. New documents in recent versions of Word use a Multiple value just above single, plus a little space after each paragraph — the Paragraph dialog shows the exact figures for your copy.
At Least
Of all the line spacing options in Word, At least is the most forgiving: it sets a minimum line height in points. Lines never get smaller than the value you type, but they grow when a line holds bigger text, a symbol or an in-line picture, so nothing is cut off. It is a safe way to keep lines even in a document that mixes sizes.
Exactly
Exactly fixes every line at the height you type and never changes it. That is perfect for forms and labels that must line up with printed boxes, but anything taller than the line — a large letter, a picture in line with text — is cut off at the top.
👉 If pictures or big letters look sliced off, the paragraph is almost always set to Exactly. Change it to Single or At least.
Line Spacing vs Paragraph Spacing
Line spacing is the gap between lines inside a paragraph. Paragraph spacing is the gap before and after a whole paragraph, set in the same dialog under Before and After. Setting line spacing to single will not remove the space after each paragraph — set After to 0 pt for that.
Which Line Spacing Options in Word Should You Use?
- Essay or dissertation? Double, unless your guidelines say 1.5.
- Business letter or CV? Single or 1.15.
- Report or handout? 1.15 or 1.5.
- Form that must match printed boxes? Exactly.
- Mixed text sizes and symbols? At least.
Common Line Spacing Problems
- One line is taller than the rest: it holds a bigger character or picture. Use At least to set a floor, or make the character smaller.
- Text or pictures are cut off: the paragraph is set to Exactly.
- Spacing changes only part of the text: line spacing applies per paragraph. Press Ctrl + A first to change the whole document.
- Gaps between words, not lines: see how to adjust space between words in Word.
FAQs
What is single line spacing in Word?
Single spacing is one line height, which depends on the font: a little more than the font size. For 12 pt text Word stores it as 12 pt.
Is 1.15 line spacing the same as single?
No. 1.15 adds 15% more space than single, which makes text easier to read.
What is the difference between At least and Exactly?
At least sets a minimum height and grows for big text or pictures. Exactly never changes, so tall content is cut off.
What is the shortcut for double spacing in Word?
Press Ctrl + 2. Ctrl + 1 gives single spacing and Ctrl + 5 gives 1.5.
Why is my picture cut off in Word?
The paragraph holding it is probably set to Exactly line spacing. Change it to Single or At least.
Does line spacing change the space between paragraphs?
No. Paragraph spacing is set separately with the Before and After boxes in the Paragraph dialog.
Conclusion
Line spacing options in Word come down to three ideas: multiples of a line (single to triple), a minimum (At least) and a fixed height (Exactly).
Pick the setting that matches your document, keep paragraph spacing separate, and for the quickest change, see how to change line spacing in Word.
Related Tutorials
- How to Change Line Spacing in Word
- How To Do Double Line Spacing in Word
- How to Set 1.5 Line Spacing in Word
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For Microsoft support documentation, visit the official Microsoft guidance.
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