(Recall that there are 72 points to an inch, so this works out to 0.17–0.67″.)īut use your judgment-consider the width of the text block when setting the first-line indent. So a paragraph set in 12 point should have a first-line indent of 12–48 points. It should be no bigger than four times the point size, or else the first line will seem disconnected from the left edge. Typically, a first-line indent should be no smaller than the current point size, or else it’ll be hard to notice. And vice versa.Ī first-line indent on the first paragraph of any text is optional, because it’s obvious where the paragraph starts. If you use a first-line indent on a paragraph, don’t use space between. The other common way is with space between paragraphs.įirst-line indents and space between paragraphs have the same relationship as belts and suspenders.

First-line indents Between one and four times the point sizeĪ first-line indent is the most common way to signal the start of a new paragraph.

A first line indent in word 2016