Change Measurement Units in Microsoft Word

Useful for custom margins or using the metric system

By default,Microsoft Worduses inches as its unit of measurement in dialog boxes and on the ruler. You can change measurement units to centimeters, picas, points, or millimeters. This post shows you how to change this setting inWord 2016and earlier.

Change Measurement Units in Word

To change the default measurement units inWord, click on File and thenOptions.

If you are using Word 2010 or earlier, then click theOfficebutton and click theWord Optionsbutton at the bottom.

TheWord Optionsdialog box displays. ClickAdvancedin the left pane.

Scroll down to theDisplaysection. Select a unit of measurement from theShow measurements in units ofdrop-down list. ClickOK.

Now, the unit of measurement is different, as displayed below in theIndentationsection of theParagraphdialog box.

Change Measurement Units in Word 2003 and Earlier

The procedure for changing the units of measurement inWord 2003and earlier versions is slightly different.

To begin, selectOptionsfrom theToolsmenu.

Click theGeneraltab and select a unit of measurement from theMeasurement unitsdrop-down list. ClickOK.

Again, the unit of measurement is different, as displayed below in theIndentationsection of theParagraphdialog box.

Being able to customize the units of measurement used in Word is useful if you are working on a document that must have custom margins in a specified unit of measurement other than inches. Enjoy!

Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio

Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008.

HomeAbout UsEditorial StandardsContact UsTerms of Use

Change Measurement Units in Microsoft Word#

Change Measurement Units in Word#

Change Measurement Units in Word 2003 and Earlier#

Change Measurement Units in Microsoft Word

Change Measurement Units in Word

Change Measurement Units in Word 2003 and Earlier