If you’ve ever had to submit an assignment or write a professional document, you’ve likely been asked to double space it. I’ve been there, hovering over Google Docs menus, unsure where the option even
is. Double spacing is a small formatting change, but if it’s not set up correctly, it can cause delays or rejections. This guide will walk you through three clear ways on how to double space on Google Docs, including on mobile.
Why Use Double Space in Google Docs?
Double spacing gives your writing room to breathe. I’ve used it in everything from college papers to business reports, and it makes reading and editing a lot more manageable. Teachers love it because it leaves space for comments. Editors prefer it because it reduces eye strain. And when you're following style guides like APA or MLA, it’s often required.
If you’re not familiar with the built-in options or you’re switching between devices, finding the setting can be tricky. But the good news? Once you know where to look, it only takes a few clicks to understand how to double space in Google Docs
How to Double Space in Google Docs on Desktop
Using Google Docs in a browser gives you the most flexibility when it comes to formatting, especially for MLA-style papers. If you’re working on a laptop or desktop, the tools are easy to access and changes apply instantly. Double-spacing your entire document is a key MLA requirement, and doing it in Google Docs takes just a few steps. You don’t have to manually hit “Enter” or adjust spacing line by line. Everything is handled through the format menu, which helps ensure consistency throughout your paper. Here’s how to double space a specific paragraph in google docs or the entire paragraph.
Step 1: Open your Google Docs file in a desktop browser like Chrome or Firefox.
Step 2: Highlight the portion of the text that needs to be double or if it’s the whole document, press Ctrl + A to select all.
Step 3: At the top right menu, click “Format.”
Step 4: Hover over “Line & paragraph spacing.” and select Select “Double” from the dropdown options.
I’ve done this hundreds of times for assignments, and it works every time without glitches. It also retains the spacing if you download the file as a PDF or Word document. Moreover I also found it useful to figure out how to permanently set double spacing in Google Docs settings.
How to Double-Space in Google Docs App
Using the mobile version of Google Docs offers fewer formatting options than the desktop version, but you can still apply double spacing with a few taps. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look in the app’s interface. The formatting tools are usually hidden under the “A” icon with horizontal lines. From there, you can access paragraph spacing options and select double spacing. While not as fast as on desktop, it gets the job done when you're working on the go. Here’s how to double space on google docs on mobile device:
Step 1: Open the Google Docs app
Step 2: Tap the pencil icon to enter edit mode.
Step 3: Select the text you want to double space.
Step 4: Tap the “A” icon in the toolbar. It will open up the Format tab at the bottom of your screen
Step 5: In the Format tab, scroll down to “Line Spacing” and set it to 2.
This works on both Android and iOS. I’ve used it while reviewing documents on the go, and although the interface is small, the option is right there once you know the path.
How to Double Space on Google Docs on Mobile
You might be wondering if using Google Docs in a mobile browser is different from the app, and it’s not by much. The steps are pretty similar, but layout and menus can shift slightly depending on your device or browser. This method is useful if you're switching between platforms or don’t have the app
installed. You'll still be able to access formatting options, including line spacing, through the toolbar or settings icon. Here’s a quick recap on how to adjust line spacing from a mobile browser to meet MLA standards:
Step 1: Open Google docs and select the document you want to edit
Step 2: Tap the pencil icon to enter edit mode.
Step 3: Select the text you want to double space.
Step 4: Tap the “A” icon in the toolbar. It will open up the Format tab at the bottom of your screen
Step 5: In the Format tab, scroll down to “Line Spacing” and set it to 2.
When I first tried this, I was adjusting a resume on my phone. It wasn’t the fastest method, but it worked, and I didn’t have to wait until I got back to my laptop.
How to Double Space in WPS – A Simpler Alternative
After using Google Docs for years, I finally tried WPS Office, and honestly, it makes formatting a lot faster. Whether you’re working with essays, resumes, or blog drafts, WPS keeps the process smooth and clutter-free. Steps to Double Space in WPS Office
Step 1: Open your document in WPS Writer, or open a new document if you haven’t written anything yet
Step 2: Highlight the text you want to double space, or press Ctrl + A to select all.
Step 3: Click on the “Line Spacing” icon in the toolbar and select “2.0” from the dropdown.
Step 4 : If you want all new docs to use this spacing, go to Paragraph Settings and set it as default.
I tried this while editing a client’s report last week. I didn’t have to go hunting through menus, and the spacing looked perfect on the first try.
Boost Your Work with WPS Office
Once I started using WPS Office, it quickly became my go-to tool, not just for spacing, but for all my writing and formatting needs. It runs smoothly even on older or low-spec devices, which makes it ideal for students and anyone working on a budget. The interface is clean, intuitive, and fast-loading, so I can jump into my work without delays. Best of all, it covers all the essentials like headers, footnotes, and citation formatting without constantly pushing upgrade prompts. Here are some tools that make a difference in WPS:
Writer: Great for writing essays, resumes, and blog drafts. I used it to format my research paper and never ran into compatibility issues with Word files.
Spreadsheet: Helped me organize writing project timelines and assignment due dates.
Presentation: I once built a presentation deck entirely from my phone using WPS, and it saved right to my cloud storage.
PDF: I frequently merge PDFs for class notes or annotate long reading assignments, all without needing a separate app.
AI Resume Assistant: I used this to create a clean, well-phrased resume in under 10 minutes.
AI Spell & Grammar Check: It cleaned up an entire draft article and helped me rewrite awkward phrases.
Academic Writing Support: Useful while working on structured reports, I could adjust tone and layout in just a few clicks.
AI Writing Assistant: Turned my outline into full paragraphs when I was too tired to write from scratch.
AI Slides Creator: Converted my bullet list into a clean, minimal slide deck that looked like I spent hours on it.
Smart PDF Tools: Saved me a ton of time summarizing long PDFs, especially when researching citation formats and MLA in text citation examples.
Honestly, after trying out a quotes in MLA generator alongside this, WPS felt like the more complete package, everything was in one place and didn’t slow down my workflow.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need to double space everything in a Google Doc?
Not necessarily. It depends on the type of document. Double spacing is mostly used for academic papers and professional writing formats.
Q2: Can I double space just one paragraph?
Yes. Highlight only the paragraph you want to change and apply the spacing setting.
Q3: What’s the easiest way to double space on mobile?
Tap the “A” icon, go to Paragraph > Line Spacing, and select “2.”
Q4: Is WPS Office really free?
Yes! WPS Office is fully free and doesn’t limit core features like spacing, editing, or export.
How to Double Space on Google Docs Without the Hassle
Getting your spacing right doesn’t have to be a chore. I’ve shown you how to double space on Google Docs using both desktop and mobile versions, plus an easier method using WPS Office. Whether you’re writing an academic paper, updating a resume, or formatting a blog post, proper line spacing makes your work easier to read and present. If you want something faster, more intuitive, and loaded with extras like AI support, WPS Office is the tool I keep coming back to. It’s reliable, lightweight, and just makes the writing process feel less like work.
