How to Do a Hanging Indent in Word (2026)
A hanging indent leaves the first line at the margin and indents every line after it — the standard format for bibliographies, works-cited lists, and reference pages in MLA, APA, and Chicago. Here are three ways to create one.
1. Use the Paragraph Dialog (Most Reliable)
- Select the paragraph(s) you want to format.
- On the Home tab, click the small arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Paragraph group.
- Under Indentation, open the Special dropdown and choose Hanging.
- Set the depth to 0.5” (the standard) and click OK.
This works the same on Windows and Mac.
2. Use the Keyboard Shortcut
- Click in the paragraph.
- Press Ctrl+T (Windows) or ⌘+T (Mac).
Each press deepens the hanging indent by one default tab stop; Ctrl+Shift+T reduces it.
3. Use the Ruler
- Turn on the ruler: View tab > check Ruler.
- Select your paragraphs.
- Drag the bottom triangle (Hanging Indent marker) right to about 0.5”. Leave the top triangle (First Line Indent) at the margin.
4. Word for the Web
The web app supports hanging indents through the Paragraph options: select the text, open Line and Paragraph Spacing > Line Spacing Options (or the indentation controls) and set Special to Hanging. The ruler method isn’t available online.
5. Troubleshooting
The whole paragraph indents, not just the later lines
You applied a left indent. Open the Paragraph dialog and set Special to Hanging rather than increasing Indentation: Left.
Ctrl+T does nothing
Your cursor isn’t inside a paragraph, or the text box doesn’t support it. Use the Paragraph dialog instead.
The indent depth looks wrong
Citation styles use 0.5”. Set it explicitly in the By box next to Special: Hanging.
My citations lose the indent when pasted
Pasting can strip formatting. Paste, then reselect the citations and apply the hanging indent, or use Paste > Keep Source Formatting.
Related Word guides: How to add a citation · How to insert a footnote · How to add a table of contents · How to double space · How to add columns
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