To show margins in Word, select File > Options > Advanced, scroll to Show document content, and select Show text boundaries. Word draws a dotted line around the area inside the margins on every page. You can also turn on the ruler with View > Ruler, where the gray areas at each end mark the margins, or check the exact sizes in Layout > Margins > Custom Margins.
Applies to: Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, 2021 and 2019 on Windows and Mac. Last reviewed October 7, 2026.
Show margin lines with text boundaries
Windows
- Select File > Options.
- Select Advanced.
- Scroll to Show document content and select Show text boundaries.
- Select OK.
Mac
- Select Word > Preferences (or Settings) in the menu bar.
- Select View.
- Under Show in Document, select Text boundaries.
The lines only appear in Print Layout view (View > Print Layout). They don’t print. In current versions of Word, text boundaries show as lines around each paragraph’s text area; for simple corner marks instead, select Show crop marks in the same section of Word Options.
See margins on the ruler
- Select View and select Ruler.
- Look at the horizontal ruler above the page and the vertical ruler on the left. The gray parts at each end are the margins; the white part is where your text goes.
- To change a margin, point to the line between gray and white until the pointer becomes a double arrow, then drag.
Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while dragging to see the exact measurements.
Check the exact margin sizes
- Select Layout > Margins. The highlighted preset, such as Normal (1 inch on every side), is the one in use.
- Select Custom Margins to see and change the exact Top, Bottom, Left and Right values.
- Use Apply to to change the whole document or only from this point forward.
To make margins smaller, see how to change margins to Narrow in Word.
If the top or bottom margin seems to be missing
If pages run together with no white space at the top and bottom, Word is hiding the white space between pages. Point to the gap between two pages until the pointer shows two arrows, then double-click. The margins, headers and footers reappear. Microsoft describes this in my top margin is missing.
To turn it on permanently, go to File > Options > Display and select Show white space between pages in Print Layout view.
See margins in Print Preview
Select File > Print to see each page as it will print, with the margins as blank space around the text. This is the best check before printing or saving a PDF.
Troubleshooting
Text boundaries don’t appear
You’re in Web Layout, Read Mode or Draft view. Select View > Print Layout.
The ruler isn’t on the View tab
The window may be too narrow or you’re in Read Mode. Maximize Word and switch to Print Layout.
Text goes past the margin line
The paragraph has a negative indent, or a table or picture is wider than the text area. Select the paragraph and check Layout > Indent, or resize the table. See how to indent in Word.
Margins look different on one page
The document has section breaks with different margins. Click on that page and check Layout > Margins > Custom Margins, where Apply to shows the current section.
Frequently asked questions
Do the margin lines print?
No. Text boundaries and crop marks only show on screen.
Can I show margins in Word for the web?
Word for the web doesn’t have text boundaries. Use Layout > Margins to see and change the margin settings, and View > Ruler where available.
How do I remove margins?
Set them as small as your printer allows in Custom Margins. See how to remove margins in Word.
Related: How to put text in the middle of a page in Word.
Related: How to make everything fit on one page in Word.
Related: How to create sections in Word.
Related: How to convert a table to text in Word.
Related: how to set 1-inch margins in Word.
Related: how to get Word to show one page at a time.
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.