How to Change Margins in Google Docs
Learn how to adjust page margins in Google Docs using the Page Setup dialog, the ruler, or keyboard shortcuts. Set standard 1-inch margins, narrow margins, or any custom size.
Quick Answer
To change margins in Google Docs: Go to File > Page setup, enter your desired margin values (in inches), and click OK. The default is 1 inch on all sides.
Keyboard shortcut (to open Page setup):
No direct shortcut, but use Alt+F (Windows) or Ctrl+Option+F (Mac) to open File menu, then press U for Page setup.
Method 1: Using Page Setup (Recommended)
The Page Setup dialog gives you precise control over all four margins. This is the most reliable method to change margins in Google Docs.
Open your Google Doc
Go to docs.google.com and open the document you want to edit.
Open Page Setup
Click File in the top menu bar, then select Page setup from the dropdown menu.
Enter your margin values
In the Page setup dialog, you will see four fields: Top, Bottom, Left, and Right. Enter your desired margin size in inches for each field.
Apply the changes
Click OK to apply the new margins. Your document will immediately update to reflect the changes.
Method 2: Using the Ruler
The ruler provides a quick visual way to adjust left and right margins by dragging. This method is faster for quick adjustments but less precise than Page Setup.
Show the ruler (if hidden)
Go to View > Show ruler. A checkmark indicates the ruler is visible. The ruler appears at the top of your document.
Locate the margin markers
Look at the ruler. The gray areas on the left and right ends represent the margins. The white area is your text area.
Drag the margin boundary
Hover your cursor over the boundary between the gray and white areas until you see a double-headed arrow. Click and drag left or right to adjust the margin.
Important
The ruler can only adjust left and right margins. To change top and bottom margins, you must use the Page Setup method.
Common Margin Presets
Google Docs does not have built-in margin presets like Microsoft Word, but here are common margin settings you can apply manually:
| Preset Name | Top/Bottom | Left/Right | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal (Default) | 1 inch | 1 inch | General documents, essays |
| Narrow | 0.5 inch | 0.5 inch | Maximizing content space |
| Moderate | 1 inch | 0.75 inch | Reports, professional docs |
| Wide | 1 inch | 1.5 inch | Documents needing margin notes |
| APA/MLA Standard | 1 inch | 1 inch | Academic papers |
How to Set Default Margins
If you frequently use the same margin settings, you can set them as the default for all new documents.
Open Page Setup
Go to File > Page setup.
Enter your preferred margins
Set the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right margins to your preferred values.
Click "Set as default"
Click the Set as default button in the bottom left of the dialog. Then click OK. All new documents will now use these margins.
Change Margins on Mobile (iOS & Android)
You can also change margins in the Google Docs mobile app, though the interface is slightly different.
Open your document
Launch the Google Docs app and open the document you want to edit.
Tap the three-dot menu
Tap the three vertical dots (More options) in the top right corner.
Select Page setup
Scroll down and tap Page setup.
Tap Margins
Tap Margins, then choose from the preset options: Narrow, Default, Wide, or Custom.
Apply and close
If you choose Custom, enter your values. Tap the back arrow or outside the menu to apply.
Pro Tips for Google Docs Margins
Check printing requirements
Most printers cannot print to the very edge of the paper. Keep margins at least 0.25 inches to ensure nothing gets cut off when printing.
Use Print Layout view
Go to View > Print layout to see exactly how your margins will look when printed. This gives you an accurate preview.
Academic paper requirements
APA, MLA, and Chicago style all require 1-inch margins on all sides. This is the default in Google Docs, so you likely do not need to change anything for academic papers.
Use indentation instead of margins for sections
If you need different spacing for specific paragraphs or sections, use indentation (ruler triangles) rather than changing the document margins. This keeps margins consistent while adjusting individual sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the default margins in Google Docs?
The default margins in Google Docs are 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides: top, bottom, left, and right. This matches the standard for most academic and professional documents.
How do I set 1-inch margins in Google Docs?
Go to File > Page setup, then enter 1 in each margin field (Top, Bottom, Left, Right). Click OK to apply. Since 1 inch is the default, your document may already have these settings.
Can I change margins for just one page in Google Docs?
No, Google Docs applies margins uniformly to the entire document. You cannot set different margins for individual pages. As a workaround, you can use indentation, tables, or section breaks with different formatting to create the appearance of different margins on specific sections.
How do I reset margins to default in Google Docs?
Go to File > Page setup, enter 1 in all margin fields (Top, Bottom, Left, Right), then click OK. Optionally, click Set as default to make 1-inch margins the default for all new documents.
Why can I not see the ruler in Google Docs?
The ruler may be hidden. Go to View > Show ruler to enable it. A checkmark next to the option indicates the ruler is visible.
How do I change margins from inches to centimeters?
Google Docs uses inches by default for US users. You can enter values in centimeters by typing the unit (e.g., "2.54cm" instead of "1"). Alternatively, change your Google account region settings to a country that uses metric to switch the default unit.
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