Line spacing isn’t just a background detail in your essay, it’s one of the first things that shapes how your entire paper looks and reads. I used to overlook it, assuming the default settings would be “good enough,” only to find out I’d missed an easy grade point. From the title to the Works Cited, MLA format spacing requires consistency. That’s why getting it right up front is such a time-saver. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly what MLA expects and how to apply those settings cleanly in WPS Office.
What Are the MLA Spacing Requirements?
Before I even got into citations or page numbers, I started overthinking about line spacing in MLA
formatting. It sounds basic but not every program makes that as straightforward as it should be. I’ve submitted papers thinking I got it right, only to realize later that sections were still single-spaced. Understanding the correct MLA format spacing upfront saves you from last-minute surprises. Once you know exactly what MLA expects, it’s just a matter of applying it consistently from top to bottom.
The rules break down like this:
Double spacing required throughout: From the top of the document to the final source, there should be no variation.
No extra spacing between paragraphs: Hitting "Enter" twice isn’t MLA compliant. One line break is enough when line spacing is set correctly.
Readable font, standard size: Times New Roman, 12 pt, is the default for a reason. Stick with it unless told otherwise.
If you’re wondering “is MLA format double spaced?”, the answer is a clear yes, all the way through. And if you accidentally leave out spacing in even one section, like your Works Cited, it can knock points off your final grade. I’ve had it happen. A perfectly formatted paper with single-spaced quotes because I forgot to double-check the block quote section. That kind of slip is exactly why understanding MLA line spacing and how to control it is so important before you submit.
How to Apply MLA Format Spacing in WPS Office
After I understood what MLA spacing actually required, the next step was finding a tool that didn’t make it harder than it needed to be. I’ve used a few different word processors, but WPS Office made it refreshingly simple to apply double spacing across the entire document. The settings are easy to access, and it even offers MLA-style templates that already have the basics like font and spacing pre-set. Once you know where everything is, setting your paper up takes less than a minute. There are no hidden menus or formatting surprises.
Why I Use WPS Office for Formatting
My Microsoft Word kept crashing on me during a hectic week of deadlines so I needed something fast, lightweight, and reliable, and WPS checked all those boxes without asking me to pay for basic features. Here’s why it’s worked so well, especially for MLA format:
Free and cross-platform: Easy to download and use on Windows, Mac, or even my phone when I’m reviewing drafts on the go.
MLA templates built-in: Preformatted templates save time by setting the right font, spacing, and header layout from the start.
WPS AI helps spot mistakes: It can flag spacing issues and offer layout suggestions, which is great when I’m trying to avoid last-minute formatting problems.
I’ve used WPS Office for several MLA papers now, and the way it handles line spacing is one of the
reasons I keep going back to it. The paragraph settings also let me remove those sneaky extra spaces that some programs add after each line. I’ve spent far less time troubleshooting spacing issues compared to Word, which means more time spent actually writing.
Step-by-Step: Setting MLA Line Spacing in WPS Office
If you’re aiming for a clean, properly formatted double-spaced MLA paper, getting your line spacing right from the start is key. WPS Office makes that easy with a layout that doesn’t hide essential tools. Here’s exactly how to apply the correct spacing without wasting time digging through menus.
Step 1: Launch WPS Word and open the document you're working on. This gives you a clean slate without any preloaded formatting to interfere with your spacing.
Step 2: Highlight all the text then right-click and select “Paragraph”. This opens a settings window where you can fine-tune the line spacing.
Step 3: In the Paragraph window, you’ll find two key sections to focus on.
Under Line spacing, select “Multiple” from the dropdown menu, and then type 2 in the adjacent box to match MLA’s double-spacing rule.
Under Indentation, make sure “Special” is set to None, since MLA format does not apply hanging or first-line indents by default for body paragraphs.
Step 4: Once you've finished adjusting the spacing settings, save your work by clicking the floppy disk icon in the top-left corner of the WPS Writer window. This makes sure all your double-spaced MLA paper formatting stays intact the next time you open your file.
When I first looked up ‘is MLA double spaced’, I didn’t think it would be such a big deal until I got feedback for inconsistent formatting. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to double-check these settings every time I start a paper. WPS Office makes it easy to lock in spacing from the beginning, so I’m not stuck fixing things right before the deadline.
FAQs
1. Is MLA double spaced in the Works Cited section?
Yes, absolutely. Your Works Cited page should follow the same double-spacing rule as the rest of the document, no exceptions.
2. Do block quotes in MLA also need double spacing?
Yes, block quotes must be double spaced just like body text, even though they’re indented. MLA is consistent that way.
3. How do I apply spacing across the entire paper at once in WPS?
Use Ctrl + A to select all content, then apply the 2.0 line spacing. This ensures that nothing gets skipped, even hidden sections like headers or footnotes.
4. Can I use WPS Office templates to simplify MLA formatting?
Yes! WPS offers MLA-style templates that come pre-set with the correct spacing, font, and indentation. It’s a good starting point, though I always double-check spacing manually to be sure.
5. What if WPS still adds space after paragraphs?
Open the Paragraph dialog box and confirm the “Spacing After” setting is set to 0 pt. This fixes unwanted gaps between lines that aren’t MLA compliant.
