Easy Tech TutsHow to Adjust Spacing in Google Docs Easily 2026
By Impran M N
Fixing inconsistent line spacing or preparing a document for an academic style guide shouldn't mean hitting the return key over and over. This guide covers Google Docs' spacing presets, custom spacing controls, and how to save your preferred settings as the default.
01Select your text
Highlight the paragraphs you want to adjust, or press Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A) to select the entire document.
02Open the spacing tool
Click the line and paragraph spacing icon in the toolbar to reveal preset options like single, 1.15, 1.5, and double spacing.
03Apply a preset
Choose one of the standard spacing presets to instantly update the selected text.
04Set custom spacing values
Reopen the spacing menu, click Custom Spacing, and enter exact point values for line height and paragraph padding.
05Save your styles as default
Go to Format, hover over Paragraph Styles, and click 'Save as My Default Styles' so future documents use the same spacing.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between line spacing and paragraph spacing?
Line spacing controls the gap within a paragraph's lines, while paragraph spacing controls the gap before or after entire paragraphs.
Can I remove extra space between paragraphs without changing line spacing?
Yes, toggle 'Remove space after paragraph' in the spacing menu to tighten gaps without affecting line height.
Does changing spacing affect the whole document automatically?
Only the text you have selected will change, so select the entire document if you want a uniform update.
Will my custom spacing carry over to new documents?
Only if you save it as your default style; otherwise each new document starts with standard spacing.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
