To set default margins in Google Docs, open any document, click File > Page setup, type the margins you want in the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right boxes, and click Set as default. Every new blank document you create after that uses those margins. Google Docs starts with 1-inch margins on all sides.
Below are the full steps, how to change margins for just one document, how to use the ruler, and why your default might not seem to stick.
How to change the default margins in Google Docs
- Open any document in Google Docs on a computer.
- Click File > Page setup.
- Make sure the Pages tab is selected.
- Under Margins, enter your measurements for Top, Bottom, Left, and Right.
- Click Set as default, then click OK.
Set as default also saves your current orientation, paper size, and page color as defaults. Check those before you click it. It doesn’t change documents you’ve already created.
Common margin sizes
| Use | Typical margins |
|---|---|
| Google Docs default, MLA, APA | 1 inch on all sides |
| Narrow (fit more on a page) | 0.5 inch |
| Moderate | 1 inch top and bottom, 0.75 inch left and right |
| Binding or hole-punching | 1.5 inches on the left |
Most printers can’t print right to the edge of the page. Margins smaller than about 0.25 inch may get cut off.
How to change margins for one document only
- Open the document and click File > Page setup.
- Enter the new margins.
- Click OK, not Set as default.
To use different margins for part of a document, select that content first and choose Selected content or This section in the Apply to menu.
How to change margins with the ruler
- If you don’t see the ruler, click View > Show ruler.
- On the horizontal ruler, drag the gray area at either end to change the left or right margin. Be careful not to grab the blue indent markers.
- On the vertical ruler on the left, drag the gray area at the top or bottom to change those margins.
The ruler is handy for quick changes, but typing exact numbers in Page setup is more precise.
How to change the measurement units
Margins show in inches or centimeters depending on your language and region. To switch, go to Tools > Preferences > General and change Units to inches, centimeters, points, or picas, if your version shows that option.
Changing margins on a phone or tablet
- Open the document in the Google Docs app and tap the pencil icon to edit, if needed.
- Tap the three-dot More icon, then Page setup.
- Tap Margins and choose Narrow, Default, Wide, or Custom.
You can’t set default margins from the app. Do that on a computer.
Why aren’t my default margins working?
- You’re using a template. Templates from the template gallery keep their own margins. Set as default only applies to new blank documents.
- The document is Pageless. Pageless documents don’t have margins. Switch to the Pages tab in Page setup.
- You’re signed in to a different account. Defaults are saved per Google Account. Check the profile picture in the top-right corner.
- The file was imported from Word. Uploaded .docx files keep their original margins.
Frequently asked questions
What are the default margins in Google Docs?
1 inch (2.54 cm) on the top, bottom, left, and right.
How do I reset margins to the original default?
Open File > Page setup, enter 1 in each margin box, and click Set as default.
Can I set default margins and landscape at the same time?
Yes. Choose Landscape and your margins in Page setup, then click Set as default. See how to switch to landscape in Google Docs for more.
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.