How to Double Space on a Mac
Double spacing on a Mac means setting line spacing to two times the font size, which improves readability and is often required for academic and professional documents. On most Mac apps, you can apply double spacing with a keyboard shortcut or through the formatting panel. The exact steps vary slightly between Pages, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and text editors, but the underlying controls are consistent across macOS. Follow these steps for reliable, document-ready double spacing in any app.
What Is Double Spacing
Double spacing sets the vertical space between lines to 200% of the font height. It is commonly used in essays, reports, and screenplays to make edits easier and meet style guidelines. On a Mac, line spacing is controlled by the app’s paragraph or font settings, not by pressing Enter multiple times. Using proper controls ensures spacing stays consistent when editing, reflowing text, or exporting to PDF. Understanding how apps store spacing helps you troubleshoot when formatting changes appear incorrectly.
Double Space in Apple Pages
Pages provides direct controls for line spacing in the Format sidebar. Changing spacing affects the entire selection or the whole document depending on your cursor position.
Apply Double Spacing Using the Toolbar
- Select the text or click a text box.
- Open the Format sidebar (Format button in the toolbar).
- Click the Text tab, find Style, then choose Line and Paragraph Spacing.
- Select 2.0 or choose Custom and enter 2.0.
Keyboard Shortcut for Double Space in Pages
- Select the text or place the cursor in the paragraph.
- Press Command + 2 to set spacing to double.
Double Space in Microsoft Word for Mac
Microsoft Word uses the Home tab and the Line and Spacing menu to control paragraph spacing.
Steps to Double Space in Word
- Select the paragraphs you want to change.
- On the Home tab, click Line and Space Options, then choose 2.0 or Exactly 24 pt for 12 pt font (applies proportional spacing).
Word Keyboard Shortcut
- Select text and press Command + 2 to apply double spacing.