Adjusting the space between letters, called character spacing or tracking, can make headings look more polished, help text fit a line, or improve readability. Microsoft Word controls it in the Font dialog, where you can expand or condense spacing by exact amounts and turn on kerning for better-looking letter pairs. This guide covers all the options on Windows and Mac, plus how to fix spacing that looks wrong.
Quick Answer
Select the text and press Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on Mac) to open the Font dialog. Click the Advanced tab, set Spacing to Expanded or Condensed, enter an amount in By (for example, 1 pt), and click OK.
Step-by-Step: Change Letter Spacing
- Select the text you want to change.
- Open the Font dialog: press Ctrl + D, or click the small arrow in the corner of the Font group on the Home tab.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- Under Character Spacing, open Spacing and choose:
- Expanded to add space between letters
- Condensed to reduce space
- Normal to return to default
- In By, type or select an amount in points. Small values like 0.5 to 2 pt usually work best.
- Check the Preview and click OK.
Other Character Spacing Options
| Option | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Spacing (Expanded/Condensed) | Adds or removes equal space between all letters | Headings, fitting text on a line |
| Scale | Stretches or squeezes the letters themselves | Special effects (use sparingly) |
| Position (Raised/Lowered) | Moves text up or down without making it smaller | Fine-tuning symbols or logos |
| Kerning | Adjusts space between specific letter pairs like AV or To | Large headings and titles |
Turn On Kerning
In the Advanced tab, check Kerning for fonts and enter a minimum size, such as 12 points and above. Word then adjusts awkward letter pairs automatically in text at that size or larger.
Apply Spacing to a Style
To use the same spacing throughout a document, change it in a style instead of formatting text manually:
- On the Home tab, right-click a style (for example, Heading 1) and choose Modify.
- Click Format > Font, open the Advanced tab, and set the spacing.
- Click OK twice. All text using that style updates.
Letter Spacing vs. Word and Line Spacing
- Letter spacing: Font dialog > Advanced (this guide).
- Line spacing: Home > Line and Paragraph Spacing, or the Paragraph dialog.
- Spacing between words: Word has no direct setting. Check justified alignment, which can stretch spaces; switch to Align Left if gaps look too large.
Headings may also benefit from automatic kerning.
Troubleshooting
Letters look stretched or spaced unevenly
Check whether Scale is set to something other than 100%, and whether the paragraph is justified.
Spacing changes when I paste text
Pasted text may bring its own formatting. Use Paste Options > Keep Text Only, or select the text and press Ctrl + Space to clear character formatting.
Reset all spacing
Select the text and press Ctrl + Space, or set Spacing back to Normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a shortcut for letter spacing?
There is no direct shortcut, but Ctrl + D opens the Font dialog quickly.
How much should I expand headings?
Start with 0.5 to 1.5 pt for headings in capital letters. Too much spacing can hurt readability.
Does this work in Word for the web?
Character spacing options are limited in Word for the web. Use the desktop app for full control.
Summary
- Select text and press Ctrl + D.
- Open Advanced and set Spacing to Expanded or Condensed.
- Enter an amount in By and click OK.
- Use kerning and styles for consistent, professional results.
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.