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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →In Microsoft Word, Single (1.0) uses single line spacing; 1.15 is a Multiple setting that adds 15% more space between lines. That can make a document less vertically dense and may increase its page count, depending on its content and layout. It does not, by itself, control the gap between paragraphs.
What changes between Single and 1.15?
Line spacing affects the vertical distance between lines within a paragraph, including wrapped lines. Word labels its single-spacing choice Single. In the Paragraph dialog, the 1.15 choice is a Multiple value: Microsoft explains that setting line spacing to 1.15 increases the space by 15 percent. The 15% describes the setting, not a measured improvement in readability or a guaranteed change in page count. Microsoft Support: Adjust indents and spacing
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| Setting | Effect within a paragraph | Practical consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Single (1.0) | Word’s single-spacing choice. | Lines occupy less vertical space than with 1.15, all else being equal. |
| 1.15 (Multiple) | Microsoft says this setting increases line spacing by 15%. | Lines have somewhat more room; the document may take more pages, depending on its text, margins, font, and layout. |
Microsoft also uses Multiple set to 3 as an example that increases spacing by 300% (triple spacing). That illustrates how the numeric multiple works; it is not a recommendation for ordinary documents. The official guidance does not establish that either 1.0 or 1.15 is universally easier to read.
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Line spacing is not paragraph spacing
Word separately controls line spacing and the space Before or After each paragraph. As a result, choosing Single can tighten the lines within paragraphs without removing larger gaps between them. Microsoft describes Word’s 1.15 default configuration as including 10 points after each paragraph; that is a documented default, not a guarantee for every template or customized document. Microsoft Support: Remove double line spacing
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If the gap you want to change appears between paragraphs, inspect the Before and After values rather than assuming the line-spacing choice is responsible. Styles can also apply paragraph spacing.
How to set Single or 1.15 in Word
Change selected paragraphs
- Select the paragraphs you want to format.
- Go to Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing.
- Choose 1.0 for single spacing, or choose 1.15 if that option is shown. For separate paragraph-gap controls, open Line Spacing Options and adjust Before or After as needed. The exact interface can vary by platform and version. Microsoft Support: Change the line and paragraph spacing in Word
Single-space a whole document
In Word desktop, Microsoft documents this route: Design > Paragraph Spacing > No Paragraph Space. It applies the no-paragraph-space option to the current document’s style set. To restore the style set, return to Design > Paragraph Spacing and choose Default or the relevant style name. Microsoft Support: Single-space the lines in a document
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If the document still looks too widely spaced
- Check paragraph spacing: Open Line Spacing Options and review the Before and After values. A large After value can leave visible gaps even when line spacing is Single.
- Check the style: The paragraph’s applied style may define spacing that differs from the line-spacing choice.
- Check what kind of gap you see: A gap between wrapped lines belongs to line spacing; a gap around a paragraph belongs to paragraph spacing.
Microsoft lists Word for Microsoft 365 and Word 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2024 in its paragraph-options guidance. Support instructions also cover corresponding Mac editions and Word for the web. Microsoft notes that Word for the web does not offer a way to change the default line spacing; changes there apply only to the current document. Interface labels and available controls may differ by platform and version.
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