Change Ruler Units in Word for Windows (cm to Inches)
Microsoft Word for Windows allows you to display document measurements in centimetres or inches. These units control how measurements appear on the Word ruler, and they also affect settings such as margins, tab stops, and paragraph indentation.
If your document is using the wrong measurement system, you can change the setting in Word Options. This tutorial demonstrates how to switch the ruler from centimetres to inches, or from inches back to centimetres.
If you are using a Mac instead of Windows, see the tutorial Change Measurement Units in Word for Mac.
Watch the Tutorial
Why Measurement Units Matter
Measurement units determine how Word displays distances and layout settings in a document. These units appear on the ruler, and they are used when setting margins, tab stops, and indentation.
Depending on the type of document you are preparing, you may prefer to work in centimetres or inches. For example, many business and academic documents in the United States use inches, while centimetres are common in common.
Step 1: Display the Ruler
To see the current measurement units, first display the ruler.
Go to the View tab, locate the Show group, and check the box beside Ruler. The ruler will appear at the top of the document and will display the current measurement units.
Step 2: Open Word Options
Next, click the File tab to open the Backstage menu. From there, choose Options to open the Word Options window.
This menu allows you to change many settings that affect how Microsoft Word behaves.
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Step 3: Change the Measurement Units
In the Word Options window, click Advanced. Then scroll down to the Display section.
Find the setting labeled Show measurements in units of. Use the dropdown menu to change the units from centimetres to inches, or from inches back to centimetres.
Click OK to apply the change.
Confirm the Change
After closing the Word Options window, look at the ruler again. The ruler will now display measurements in the unit system you selected.
This setting affects measurements used throughout Word, including margins, tab stops, and page layout controls.
Key Takeaway
If the ruler in Microsoft Word for Windows is showing the wrong units, you can change the setting in File → Options → Advanced → Display. Switching between centimetres and inches allows you to work with measurements that match your document requirements