How to change page size and orientation on Google Docs

When putting a document together on Google Docs, you may not want the portrait orientation for your page. Pages are typically formatted in portrait mode by default. But if you need to make a Google Doc landscape mode and change the page size, you can change the orientation at any time.

Read more: How to underline, strikethrough, and highlight text in Google Docs

How to make a Google Doc landscape

When you open up Google Docs for the first time, you will see a blank page taller than it is wide. This is called portrait mode or portrait orientation.

However, this isn’t always the most ideal way to format your Google Docs. Sometimes you need a wider page to create columned content that can be folded down the middle, like a brochure. Other times you will need more lateral space to place images side by side. In these cases, you will need to know how to make a Google Doc landscape.

You can change the orientation of your Google Doc very easily on both your computer and your mobile device.

Making a Google Doc landscape (PC and Mac)

To make a Google Doc landscape on your computer, go into the File tab located at the top of the document, then click Page setup.

Under Apply to, you can choose Whole document to apply your new orientation to the entire Google Doc or Selected content to apply it to specific pages. Under Orientation–>Landscape, change your page orientation from portrait to landscape.

Click the blue OK button in the bottom right to make your Google Doc landscape.

Making a Google Doc landscape (Android and iOS)

To make a Google Doc landscape in the Android and iOS app, open the document you want to edit. Press the ⠇ button at the top right, then press Page setup.

Within Page setup, press the first option at the top marked Orientation, then select Landscape to make your Google Doc landscape.

How to change page size in Google Docs

Page sizing in Google Docs affects how large or small your page will be. This directly impacts how much space you have to type and what the content will look like when printed out.

By default, your page is set at 8.5 x 11 inches, which is the standard size for a piece of printer paper. If you aren’t printing your page out, you may want to change your page size to gain as much white space as possible.

Using Paper size (PC and Mac)

To change your page size with the Paper size setting, go into the File tab located at the top of the page, then Page setup.

Under Paper size, you can select from Letter, Tabloid, Legal, Statement, Executive, Folio, A3, A4, A5, B4, and B5 for the size of your page. Click on the page size that fits your purpose best, then click the blue OK button in the bottom right.

Using an add-on (PC and Mac)

If you want a more customized page that lets you determine exactly how tall or wide your page is, you can use a third-party add-on like Page Sizer. This will allow you to format the page as you want without conforming to predetermined page sizes.

To get started, open your Google Doc on your computer and click the Add-ons tab at the top. From the subsequent dropdown menu, click Get add-ons.

Look for an add-on called Page Sizer using the search bar in the Google Workspace Marketplace.

Click the blue Install button. A pop-up will say Get ready to install; click CONTINUE to log into your account. One last page will say Page Sizer wants access to your Google Account; click Allow here to grant the add-on access to your Google Docs.

Head back to your Google Doc and click the Add-ons button at the top. Hover your cursor over Page Sizer, then click Set page size… from the extended menu.

This will open the Custom page size menu to customize your Dimensions. In the Width field, you can customize the width of your document up to a maximum of 120 inches. In the Height field, you can customize how tall you want your document to be up to a maximum of 120 inches.

Using Paper size (Android and iOS)

Unfortunately, no add-ons that can adjust page size are available on the Google Docs mobile app. However, you can change the page size using Paper size.

Start by pressing the ⠇ button in the top right, then press Page setup–>Paper size.

In Paper size, select your desired page size from the list.

Read more: How to change or add fonts to Google Docs

FAQs

How do you make a custom page size on Google Docs?

You will need to use a third-party add-on known as Page Sizer to customize your page size.

Can I make one Google Doc page landscape?

Yes! Go into the File tab, then click Page setup. Under Apply to, you can choose Whole document to make every page in your Google Doc landscape or Selected content to make specific pages landscape.