CV Spacing Settings: Margins, Line Height & More

## The Numbers That Work Use these settings for a clean, professional CV: - **Margins:** 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides - **Line spacing:** 1.15 to 1.5 - **Space after paragraphs:** 6-12pt - **Section gaps:** 12-18pt between major sections - **Font size:** 10-12pt for body text, 14-16pt for headings These aren't arbitrary. They're the settings that balance readability with space efficiency. ## Margins: The Frame Margins create the border around your content. Too narrow, and the text feels cramped. Too wide, and you waste space. ```copy Recommended margin settings: - Top: 1 inch (2.54 cm) - Bottom: 1 inch (2.54 cm) - Left: 1 inch (2.54 cm) - Right: 1 inch (2.54 cm) ``` If you need more space, you can reduce margins to 0.75 inches. Never go below 0.5 inches—printers may clip the edges. ## Line Spacing: The Breathing Room Single spacing (1.0) packs lines too tightly. Double spacing (2.0) wastes too much space. The sweet spot is in between. ```copy Recommended line spacing: - Body text: 1.15 or 1.25 - Bullet points: 1.15 - After headings: 6pt space before, 3pt space after ``` In Microsoft Word, go to **Paragraph > Line Spacing** and select "Multiple" with a value of 1.15. ## Section Breaks: The Visual Pause Sections need clear separation. Without gaps, Experience bleeds into Education, and Skills blur into everything. ```copy Recommended section spacing: - Space before section heading: 12-18pt - Space after section heading: 6pt - Space between bullet points: 3-6pt ``` This creates a visual pause that helps the reader navigate. ## Font Size: The Hierarchy Your CV needs a clear hierarchy. Headings should be larger than body text. Your name should be largest of all. ```copy Recommended font sizes: - Your name: 16-20pt (bold) - Section headings: 12-14pt (bold) - Job titles: 11-12pt (bold) - Body text: 10-12pt (regular) - Dates/locations: 10-11pt (regular or italic) ``` Stick to one font family. Two at most. Consistency looks professional. ## Quick Settings for Word and Google Docs **Microsoft Word:** 1. Select all text (Ctrl+A) 2. Go to Layout > Margins > Normal (1 inch) 3. Go to Home > Line Spacing > 1.15 4. Adjust paragraph spacing via Paragraph dialog box **Google Docs:** 1. Go to File > Page Setup > Margins (set to 1 inch) 2. Select text, then Format > Line & paragraph spacing > 1.15 3. Add space before/after via Format > Line & paragraph spacing > Custom spacing ## Pre-Flight Checklist Before you export: - [ ] Margins are set to 1 inch (or no less than 0.75 inch). - [ ] Line spacing is between 1.15 and 1.5. - [ ] Section headings have extra space above them. - [ ] Font size is 10pt or larger for all body text. - [ ] One font family is used throughout (two maximum). --- *For more on CV formatting, explore our [Format & Layout](/format-and-layout) insights.*