Document Formatting

How to Change Line Spacing in LaTeX

Many journals and universities require specific line spacing. Here's how to control it in LaTeX.

Using setspace Package

The easiest method:

\usepackage{setspace}

% In preamble - apply to whole document:
\singlespacing       % Single spacing (default)
\onehalfspacing      % 1.5 spacing
\doublespacing       % Double spacing

% Or specific value:
\setstretch{1.25}    % Custom multiplier

For Specific Sections

Change spacing locally:

\usepackage{setspace}

\begin{doublespace}
This paragraph is double-spaced.
\end{doublespace}

\begin{singlespace}
This paragraph is single-spaced.
\end{singlespace}

Control Paragraph Spacing

Space between paragraphs:

% Space between paragraphs:
\setlength{\parskip}{1em}  % Add 1em between paragraphs

% Or use parskip package:
\usepackage{parskip}  % Adds space, removes indent

% Control both:
\setlength{\parindent}{0pt}  % No indent
\setlength{\parskip}{6pt}    % 6pt between paragraphs

💡 Tips

•Journal templates usually set spacing automatically
•Double spacing is common for draft/review submissions
•setspace doesn't affect footnotes and captions (usually good)

Try This in Bibby AI

Write LaTeX faster with AI auto-complete and instant compilation.

Start Writing Free