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How to Adjust Margins in Word

Tap through the steps to adjust margins in Word.

  1. Open the "Layout" tab

    Click the "Layout" (or "Page Layout") tab in the top menu.

  2. Click "Margins"

    Clicking the "Margins" button shows a set of built-in margin presets.

  3. Choose a preset or set custom margins

    Pick from Normal, Narrow, or Wide, or open "Custom Margins" to enter exact top, bottom, left, and right values yourself.

  4. Choose what the change applies to

    You can apply the new margins to the entire document or restrict them to a specific section.

  5. Why adjust margins at all

    Margins are commonly adjusted to meet a submission requirement or to make sure nothing gets cut off when the document is printed.

Meeting a submission requirement

When you're writing something with a required margin spec β€” an assignment, a paper, a contract β€” using the custom margins option lets you match the exact measurements requested rather than guessing at a preset.

Margins affect layout, not content

Narrower margins fit more content on each page, and wider margins push content onto more pages, but neither one deletes or alters the actual text β€” it's purely a layout change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing margins cut off content I already wrote?

No. Narrower margins fit more onto a page and wider margins spread it across more pages, but the content itself isn't deleted or cut.

Can different pages have different margins?

Yes. Inserting a section break lets you split the document into sections and apply different margins to each one.