How to Double Space in Google Docs (2026)
Double spacing is required for most MLA, APA, and Chicago papers. Google Docs sets it in one click from the toolbar. Here’s how, plus how to apply it to part of a document and fix uneven gaps between paragraphs.
The Fast Way (Toolbar)
- Select the text you want to double space. To do the entire document, press Ctrl+A (Windows/Chromebook) or Cmd+A (Mac).
- On the toolbar, click the Line & paragraph spacing icon — horizontal lines with an up/down arrow beside them.
- Choose Double.
Your selected text reflows to double spacing immediately.
Using the Format Menu
The same setting lives in the menu bar:
- Select your text.
- Go to Format > Line & paragraph spacing.
- Click Double.
Double Space the Whole Document Going Forward
To make double spacing the default for new text in this document:
- Select all (Ctrl+A / Cmd+A) and set it to Double, or
- Set an empty first paragraph to double spacing before you start typing — new text inherits it.
To change it for every future document, set double spacing, then go to Format > Paragraph styles > Options > Save as my default styles.
Fix Uneven Gaps Between Paragraphs
If some gaps look bigger than others, extra space is being added before or after paragraphs on top of the line spacing.
- Select your text.
- Click the Line & paragraph spacing icon.
- Choose Remove space before paragraph and Remove space after paragraph.
This is the standard setup for MLA and APA, where spacing should be uniform with no extra gaps between paragraphs.
Set Custom Spacing (e.g., 1.5 or 2.5)
For spacing that isn’t a preset:
- Click the Line & paragraph spacing icon > Custom spacing.
- Enter a Line spacing value (e.g.,
1.5or2). - Click Apply.
Troubleshooting
Only part of my document changed
Line spacing applies to the selected text (or the paragraph your cursor is in). Select all with Ctrl+A / Cmd+A to change everything.
There’s a big gap between paragraphs even at double spacing
That’s “space after paragraph” stacking on top of the line spacing. Use Remove space after paragraph from the spacing menu.
My header or footer didn’t change
Headers and footers have their own spacing. Click into the header/footer and set it separately.
Related Google Docs guides: How to do a hanging indent · How to add page numbers · How to add a table of contents · How to make columns · How to insert a checkbox
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