The quickest way to insert a horizontal line in Word is to type three hyphens (—) on an empty line and press Enter. Word turns them into a line across the page. Other characters make other styles: === for a double line, ___ for a thick line, *** for a dotted line. You can also use Home > Borders > Horizontal Line, or draw a line with Insert > Shapes.
Applies to: Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2016 on Windows and Mac. The typing shortcuts don’t work in Word for the web. Last reviewed October 8, 2026.
Method 1: Type a shortcut
On a new, empty line, type three of these characters and press Enter:
- — (hyphens): thin single line
- ___ (underscores): thick single line
- === (equals): double line
- *** (asterisks): dotted line
- ~~~ (tildes): wavy line
- ### (number signs): triple line with a thick center
The line is actually a bottom border on the paragraph above, so it runs from margin to margin and moves with the text.
If the shortcut doesn’t work
Turn it on: File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type, and tick Border lines. On a Mac, go to Tools > AutoCorrect > AutoFormat As You Type.
- Click where you want the line.
- On the Home tab, select the arrow next to Borders.
- Choose Horizontal Line.
Double-click the line to change its width, height, color and alignment. To make it a border with a different style, use Borders > Borders and Shading and pick only the bottom edge.
Method 3: Draw a line shape
- Go to Insert > Shapes and choose the Line.
- Hold Shift while dragging to keep it perfectly straight.
- Use the Shape Format tab to change the color, weight and dash style.
Shape lines float over the page, so use them for diagrams or decorative lines that shouldn’t move with the text. Set Layout Options to In Line with Text if you want it to stay in one place among paragraphs.
Method 4: A line under text you type
To add a rule under a heading, select the heading and choose Home > Borders > Bottom Border. To box text instead, see how to put a box around text in Word. For page borders, see how to add a border in Word.
A line under the header or above the footer looks professional on letters and reports, and it repeats on every page. Double-click the header, click in its last paragraph, and choose Home > Borders > Bottom Border. For the footer, click in its first paragraph and choose Top Border. Use Borders and Shading to pick a color or thickness that matches your design.
Make a line part of your style
If every Heading 1 should have a line under it, add the border to the style instead of each heading: right-click Heading 1 in the Styles gallery, choose Modify > Format > Border, and set a bottom border. Every heading using that style updates at once.
Remove a horizontal line
- Typed or border line: click in the paragraph just above the line and choose Home > Borders > No Border. You can’t select it and press Delete, because it’s a border.
- Horizontal Line button: click the line and press Delete.
- Shape: click it and press Delete.
For stubborn lines, see how to remove a border line in Word.
Troubleshooting
A line appeared when I didn’t want one
You typed three dashes and pressed Enter. Press Ctrl+Z straight away to undo the conversion, or select the AutoCorrect lightning icon and choose Undo Border Line.
The line extends into the margin or is too short
Change the paragraph’s left and right indents, or double-click a Horizontal Line to set its width.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a line to sign on?
Use a tab with an underline. See how to insert a signature line in Word.
Can I add a vertical line?
Draw one with Insert > Shapes > Line while holding Shift, or use Layout > Columns > More Columns > Line between.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.