One-inch margins on all sides are the standard for school papers, business documents, and most style guides, including MLA and APA. In current versions of Microsoft Word, the default “Normal” margin is already 1 inch, but documents created from templates, other people’s files, or different regions may use something else. Here’s how to set 1-inch margins, check them, and make them your default.
Method 1: Use the Normal Preset
- Open your document and click the Layout tab (called Page Layout in some older versions).
- Click Margins.
- Choose Normal, which shows Top, Bottom, Left, and Right as 1″.
The change applies to the whole document unless it has multiple sections.
Method 2: Enter 1 Inch Manually
If Normal isn’t listed or shows different values, set them yourself:
- Go to Layout > Margins > Custom Margins.
- On the Margins tab of the Page Setup dialog, enter 1″ in the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right boxes.
- Make sure Gutter is 0″ unless you’re printing a bound booklet.
- Under Apply to, choose Whole document.
- Click OK.
If your measurements are shown in centimeters, enter 2.54 cm, or change units in File > Options > Advanced > Display > Show measurements in units of > Inches.
Method 3: Make 1-Inch Margins the Default
To use 1-inch margins for every new document:
- Open Layout > Margins > Custom Margins.
- Enter 1″ for all four margins.
- Click Set As Default in the bottom-left corner, then click Yes to confirm.
This updates the Normal template, so new blank documents start with 1-inch margins.
Method 4: Drag the Margins on the Ruler
If you prefer a visual approach, show the ruler with View > Ruler. Hover over the boundary between the gray and white areas until the pointer becomes a double arrow, then drag. Hold the Alt key (Option on Mac) while dragging to see exact measurements, and stop at 1″. This method is less precise, so double-check with Custom Margins afterward.
Using 1-Inch Margins for Only Part of a Document
Sometimes a title page or appendix needs different margins. Place your cursor where the change should start, insert a section break with Layout > Breaks > Next Page, then open Custom Margins and set Apply to to This section. For more, see how to have different margins on different pages in Word.
Word for Mac
On a Mac, the steps are the same: Layout > Margins > Normal, or Custom Margins to enter values. You can also use Format > Document from the menu bar to open margin settings and click Default to save them.
Word for the Web
In Word for the web, go to Layout > Margins and select Normal, or choose Custom Margins to enter 1″ for each side.
How to Check Your Margins
Turn on the ruler with View > Ruler. The gray areas at the ends of the ruler show the margins; at 1 inch, the white writing area starts at the first inch mark. You can also open Custom Margins to see the exact values.
Why Your Margins Might Not Change
- Multiple sections: If the document has section breaks, set Apply to to Whole document, or change each section.
- Indents vs. margins: Paragraph indents can make text look like it has different margins. Check the ruler’s indent markers and reset them to 0.
- Header and footer distance: Headers and footers sit inside the margin area. Their distance from the edge is set separately on the Layout tab of the Page Setup dialog (usually 0.5″).
- Printer limits: Some printers can’t print close to the edge, but 1-inch margins are well within normal printer limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 1-inch margins required for MLA and APA?
Yes. Both MLA and APA style call for 1-inch margins on all sides.
Is 2.54 cm the same as 1 inch?
Yes. One inch equals 2.54 centimeters exactly.
What does “Mirrored” margins mean?
Mirrored margins swap inside and outside margins on facing pages, for documents printed double-sided and bound like a book. For most papers, keep the setting as Normal.
Why do my 1-inch margins look smaller when printed?
If your paper size doesn’t match the document (for example, A4 vs. Letter), the printer may scale the page. Check Layout > Size and your printer’s paper setting.
Summary
To set 1-inch margins in Word, go to Layout > Margins and choose Normal, or select Custom Margins and enter 1″ for Top, Bottom, Left, and Right. Click Set As Default to use 1-inch margins in every new document.
Related: how to set margins in Microsoft Word and how to do 1-inch margins on Google Docs.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.