How to Fix Double Spacing in Word (Stop the Extra Line Space)
Double spacing in Microsoft Word can look uneven when there is extra space between paragraphs. In many cases, the problem is not the line spacing itself. Instead, Word is also applying paragraph spacing after each paragraph. This tutorial shows how to remove that extra space and make the vertical spacing uniform throughout the document.
watch the Tutorial
Why Double Spacing Sometimes Looks Wrong
When a document is set to double spacing or 2.0 line spacing, many people expect the vertical space to look the same everywhere. However, Word may also add extra paragraph spacing after each paragraph. This creates larger gaps between paragraphs, even though the spacing within each paragraph remains consistent.
As a result, the document may appear to be “double spaced” in some places and more widely spaced in others. The uneven look usually comes from paragraph settings, not from a problem with the text itself.
What Causes the Extra Space
The extra white space appears because Word often applies a default amount of space after each paragraph. In the example shown in your video, the document uses 2.0 line spacing, but the After setting for paragraph spacing is still set to 8 points (8 pt).
That means two settings are affecting the document at the same time:
Line spacing controls the space within paragraphs
Paragraph spacing controls the space before or after paragraphs
When paragraph spacing is left on, a double-spaced document can look uneven.
How to Fix It
To make the spacing uniform, first click anywhere inside the document. Then select all of the text and change the paragraph spacing after each paragraph to 0 pt.
Method 1: Keyboard shortcut
Use this method if you want the fastest approach.
Windows
Ctrl + A
Mac
Command + A
This selects the entire document. Then go to the Layout tab, find the Paragraph group, and change the After value to 0 pt. Press Enter to apply the change.
Method 2: Ribbon commands
If you prefer to use the mouse, go to the Home tab, then the Editing group, choose Select, and click Select All. After that, go to the Layout tab, find the Paragraph group, and change the spacing After value from 8 pt or another number to 0 pt.
What the Result Should Look Like
After changing the After setting to 0 pt, the vertical spacing should appear uniform throughout the document. The spacing inside paragraphs will still reflect the chosen line spacing, but the larger gaps between paragraphs will disappear.
This creates a cleaner and more predictable document layout, especially in assignments, reports, and professional documents that need consistent formatting.
Key Takeaway
If a double-spaced Word document looks uneven, the problem is often paragraph spacing, not line spacing. Selecting the whole document and changing the paragraph spacing After setting to 0 is usually the fastest way to fix the extra line space.