Should I Double Space A Cover Letter? | Spacing That Works

Cover-letter spacing feels like a tiny detail until you hit “send,” then you start second-guessing everything. That’s normal. Spacing changes how fast a reader can scan, how much fits on one page, and whether your letter looks like a standard business document or a class assignment.

Here’s the practical rule: unless an employer tells you to use a specific format, keep the letter single-spaced, use a blank line between paragraphs, and keep margins and font choices plain. Double spacing can make a short letter look padded, and it pushes core lines onto page two.

What Hiring Teams Expect When They Open Your Letter

Most recruiters read cover letters the same way they read email: quick passes, then a deeper read if the opening lines match the role. Spacing either helps that flow or gets in the way.

Single spacing with clean paragraph breaks tends to look familiar. It keeps your letter compact, which matters when someone is skimming fifty applications before lunch. It also keeps your signature block from drifting onto a second page.

Double spacing is common in school writing. In job applications, it can read like you’re writing for a grading rubric, not a workplace reader. There are cases where double spacing is fine, yet it should come from an instruction, a field norm, or a real layout need.

Double Spacing A Cover Letter For Special Cases

Double spacing isn’t “wrong.” It’s just not the default. Use it when the context makes it the clearer choice.

When The Employer Or Portal Tells You To

If the job post, application portal, or department page asks for double spacing, follow that instruction. Some academic, grant, and government processes set formatting rules to keep documents consistent across reviewers.

When You’re Submitting A Long, Formal Letter

Certain roles ask for a letter that’s closer to a statement than a short cover note. If you’re writing a longer letter that will be printed and marked up, 1.5 spacing or double spacing can leave room for notes. Keep an eye on length so it still lands at one page unless the instructions say otherwise.

When Your Letter Must Be Handwritten

Handwritten letters are rare in modern hiring. If you’re asked for one, wider line spacing helps legibility. For typed letters, this case doesn’t apply.

Single Spacing Done Right

Most cover letters look best with single line spacing inside each paragraph and one blank line between paragraphs. That gives you “breathing room” without stretching the page. Purdue OWL lists this spacing pattern as standard for cover letters, along with one-inch margins and consistent alignment. Purdue OWL’s cover letter spacing tips lay it out clearly.

Pick A Simple Spacing Set And Stick With It

Spacing needs to be consistent from top to bottom. Mixing single spacing in one paragraph and 1.15 in the next looks like a formatting accident.

• Line spacing: single (1.0) is the usual choice.
• Paragraph spacing: one blank line between paragraphs, not extra “Before/After” spacing stacked on top.
• Margins: keep them standard (often 1 inch) so the text block looks normal.

Use White Space In The Right Places

Spacing isn’t just line spacing. It’s also the gaps between blocks of information. A clean cover letter usually has space between your header and greeting, between the greeting and first paragraph, and between the last paragraph and closing.

If your letter is cramped, don’t reach for double spacing first. Try tightening the content: cut repeated claims, merge two similar sentences, and keep the letter focused on two or three proof points tied to the job needs.

Spacing Choices That Fit Real Submission Types

The “right” spacing can shift based on how you’re sending the letter. A PDF read on a phone is different from a printed packet. Use the table below to match spacing to the real viewing situation.

Submission Situation	Line Spacing	Paragraph Breaks
PDF uploaded to an application portal	Single	One blank line between paragraphs
Cover letter pasted into a text box	Single	One blank line; avoid large gaps
Email cover letter (no attachment)	Single	One blank line; short paragraphs
Printed letter handed in at an interview	Single or 1.15	One blank line; keep margins standard
Academic job packet asking for standard business format	Single	One blank line; formal block layout
Letter that will be reviewed on paper with annotations	1.15 to 1.5	One blank line; don’t stack extra spacing
Explicit instruction says “double-spaced”	Double	Keep the same blank line pattern
Federal or policy application with formatting rules	Follow instructions	Follow instructions

Should I Double Space A Cover Letter? What People Mean When They Ask

Most people asking this question are reacting to one of three things: a school habit, a template that looks too tight, or a Word setting that quietly changed. Here’s how to sort it out without overthinking.

You’re Used To Double Spacing From Classes

School formats train you to double-space. Hiring documents follow business letter norms, which are tighter. If you want that “clean” feel you get from double spacing, try single spacing plus blank lines between paragraphs. It reads airy without looking like it’s trying to stretch content.

Your Letter Looks Crowded On The Page

If the page feels dense, spacing is often a symptom, not the cause. Start with content and layout fixes that keep the letter professional:

• Trim the opener to 2–3 sentences that connect your role target to one strong match.
• Use one clear example per body paragraph instead of stacking a list of skills.
• Keep sentences short when you can. It makes the page feel lighter without changing spacing.

Word Added Extra Space After Each Paragraph

Microsoft Word can add extra spacing “After” paragraphs, which makes a single-spaced letter look oddly spread out. That’s not the same as double spacing, and it can throw off your layout. Microsoft explains how to change line spacing and paragraph spacing through the Design and Paragraph settings. Microsoft’s instructions for line spacing in Word walk you through it.

How To Set Spacing In Word And Google Docs

You don’t need fancy formatting. You just want the document to behave the same way every time you edit it, export it, or paste it into a portal.

Word Settings That Keep Spacing Predictable

Open your letter and check three spots: line spacing, paragraph spacing, and styles.

1. Select all text (Ctrl+A on Windows, Command+A on Mac).
2. Set line spacing to 1.0 (or 1.15 if you need a little more air).
3. Set paragraph spacing to 0 pt before and 0 pt after, then use a blank line between paragraphs by pressing Enter once.
4. Check styles like “Normal” so future edits don’t re-introduce extra spacing.

After that, save as PDF and re-open the PDF to confirm nothing shifted. Some fonts and spacing settings reflow when converted.

Google Docs Settings That Match Business Letters

In Google Docs, use Format → Line & paragraph spacing, then set line spacing to single. Next, keep “Add space before paragraph” and “Add space after paragraph” turned off. Use a single blank line between paragraphs so the spacing stays consistent if you export to PDF.

Common Spacing Mistakes That Make A Letter Look Off

Spacing problems usually show up as “something feels weird” rather than a clear error. These checks catch most issues fast.

Mixed Spacing Inside One Letter

If one paragraph is 1.0 and the next is 1.15, the letter looks patched together. Fix it by selecting all text and applying one spacing setting.

Stacking Blank Lines And Paragraph Spacing

Some writers press Enter twice between paragraphs and also have 8–10 pt “After” spacing turned on. That creates huge gaps. Pick one method. A single blank line plus 0 pt before/after is simple and consistent.

Using Double Spacing To Hide Weak Content

Readers spot padding fast. If you’re tempted to double-space because the letter feels short, add substance instead: one more proof point, one more result, or one more detail that connects your work to the job tasks.

Quick Spacing Check Before You Hit Send

This checklist takes two minutes and saves you from a sloppy first impression. Run it after exporting to PDF, since that’s the file most hiring teams will read.

Check	What You Want To See	Fix If Not
Line spacing	Single or 1.15, consistent	Select all text and reset spacing
Paragraph gaps	One blank line, not large blocks	Set Before/After to 0 pt
Top header spacing	Clear separation from greeting	Remove extra blank lines
Closing block	Close and name grouped neatly	Reduce extra lines above closing
One-page layout	No orphan line on page two	Trim a sentence or tighten spacing
PDF reflow	Looks the same as the editor	Embed standard fonts, re-export

Spacing And Content Work Together

The best spacing choice won’t rescue a letter that’s vague. Tight content makes spacing easier, since you’re not fighting to fit too much or too little. Keep each paragraph doing one job:

• Opening: role target + why you fit, in plain language.
• Middle: 1–2 proof paragraphs with results, tools, and scope.
• Close: a confident wrap-up and a simple next step.

If you stick to that structure, single spacing usually lands right. Your reader gets a clean page, your points stay sharp, and your letter looks like it belongs in a hiring stack.