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In Microsoft Word, Single is the 1.0 line-spacing choice; 1.15 adds 15 percent more space between lines within a paragraph. The difference is modest, but 1.15 makes text less vertically dense and may affect how many pages a document uses. It does not, by itself, control the gap between paragraphs.
What Single and 1.15 spacing mean
Word’s Single setting corresponds to 1.0 spacing. The 1.15 option is a Multiple line-spacing value: Microsoft explains that setting line spacing to 1.15 increases the space by 15 percent. This describes the formatting setting, not a guaranteed change in readability or page count.
In practice, the lines within a paragraph sit somewhat closer together with Single than with 1.15. The effect on total pages depends on the document’s content and formatting; Microsoft does not specify a universal page-count difference or establish that one setting is easier to read for everyone.
For comparison, Microsoft also gives Multiple set to 3 as an example that increases space by 300 percent. That is an illustration of how the numeric setting works, not a recommendation for ordinary documents. Microsoft’s explanation of indents and spacing describes these values.
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Line spacing and paragraph spacing are different
Line spacing controls the distance between lines inside a paragraph. Paragraph spacing controls the space before or after a paragraph. Word provides separate controls for both, so selecting Single may not remove a visible gap that comes from spacing after paragraphs or from the paragraph style.
Microsoft documents 1.15 line spacing with 10 points after each paragraph as a default configuration on its page about removing double spacing. That is a documented default, not a guarantee for every template or customized document. Microsoft’s Remove double line spacing instructions describe that configuration.
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Which setting should you choose?
- Choose Single (1.0) when you need the document to use single spacing, or when a required format specifies it.
- Choose 1.15 when you want a little more vertical space between lines while keeping the text relatively compact.
- Check paragraph spacing separately if the document still has conspicuous gaps between paragraphs after you change line spacing.
Neither setting is universally best for readability. The official guidance explains how the settings change spacing but does not provide comparative user-testing evidence for readability or preference.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to change line spacing in Word
Change selected paragraphs
- Select the paragraphs you want to format.
- Go to Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing, then choose 1.0 for Single or select the spacing you need. Microsoft’s instructions include Word for Microsoft 365 and Word 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2024; available labels can vary by platform and version.
- For more control, open Line Spacing Options. Review the line-spacing value and the separate Before and After paragraph-spacing values.
See Microsoft’s line and paragraph spacing instructions for the relevant Word interface.
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Set single spacing across a document
- Open the Design tab.
- Choose Paragraph Spacing > No Paragraph Space.
This route applies the current design’s no-paragraph-space option and overrides settings in the current style set. Microsoft says you can restore the style set by choosing Default or its style name in the Paragraph Spacing menu. The documented route is in Microsoft’s single-space instructions.
Quick Recap
If Single still looks too spread out
- Open Line Spacing Options and check whether Before or After paragraph spacing is adding space around each paragraph.
- Check the applied paragraph style; it may specify spacing independently of the line-spacing choice.
- If you are using Word for the web, note that Microsoft says it does not provide a way to change the default line spacing. Changes there apply only to the current document.
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