Printing Problems

Fix Microsoft Word Printing Different Margins and Font Sizes

Amos Gikunda Oct 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an issue where a Word document prints with larger margins and a smaller font size than what is displayed in the print preview.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Printing Different Margins and Font Sizes

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing a formatted Word document that relies on specific narrow margins and precise font sizes.
Observed behavior: The printed document's text is shrunk, and the margins appear larger than configured, despite looking perfectly correct in the digital Print Preview.

Before you start

Verify that your computer's configured paper size matches the actual physical paper loaded into your printer tray, as mismatched paper sizes often trigger automatic scaling.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Page Scaling to Actual Size

Disabling the automatic 'Fit to Page' setting prevents your printer from shrinking the document's content.

Many printers automatically scale documents to ensure nothing is cut off at the edges. This feature often overrides Word's custom margins, resulting in a slightly smaller font size and wider margins on the printed page.

Open Print Menu

In Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner and select 'Print' from the sidebar.

Access Printer Properties

Click the 'Printer Properties' link located right below your selected printer's name.

Set to Actual Size

Navigate to the Layout, Effects, or Advanced tab (depending on your printer model), locate the 'Page Scaling' or 'Sizing' section, and select 'Actual Size'. Ensure any 'Fit to Page' or 'Scale to Fit' options are completely disabled.

Confirm and Print

Click 'OK' to save the printer properties, then click the 'Print' button to test the document.

Solution 2

Disable Print Markup for Tracked Changes

Removing the markup area prevents Word from intentionally shrinking your document to make room for comments.

Solution 3

Verify Section Margins and Recreate Document

Ensure margin settings are uniform across all sections or move the content to a fresh document to eliminate hidden formatting glitches.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Word document print smaller than the preview?

This usually happens because page scaling is set to 'Fit to Page' instead of 'Actual Size' in your printer properties. It can also occur if Word is reserving space on the right side of the page to print tracked changes, comments, or markups.

How do I turn off Print Markup in Word?

Go to File > Print. Under the 'Settings' section, click the first dropdown button (which usually says 'Print All Pages') and uncheck the 'Print Markup' option located near the bottom of the list.

Can mismatched paper size settings affect printed margins?

Yes. If your Word document is formatted for A4 size but your physical printer is loaded with Letter size paper (or vice versa), the printer might automatically scale the document. Always check that your software's paper size and your printer's physical paper match exactly.

Why do margins change only on certain pages when printing?

Your document likely contains multiple section breaks with varying layout settings. You can fix this by going to Layout > Margins > Custom Margins, setting your desired measurements, and ensuring the 'Apply to' dropdown is set to 'Whole document'.

Document & File Issues