One Or Two Spaces After A Period

Science has definitively found that two spaces after a period in typed text provides the most efficient.

One or two spaces after a period. The mla handbook for writers of research papers mla waffles. The style choice will now be marked as an error in microsoft word and users who press the space bar. There s only one correct answer for whether to use one space or two spaces after a period and it s to use one space.

The point is it s not only widely accepted it s expected that you use only one space after a period. It s because of this outdated technology called a typewriter. Use one space after a period or other punctuation mark at the end of a sentence when writing in apa style.

The publication manual of the american psychological association apa was the only style guide that overtly recommended two spaces after a period and even that long time holdout for two spaces changed its guideline to one space in its 2019 update. These days depending on what you re reading you can find either one or two spaces between the end of one sentence and the beginning of another. Sorry two spaces it s time to make the switch.

Illustration by tara haelle the nation was rocked this week by a paradigm shattering study. Go ahead and debate me but there s only one reason why the two space rule came into existence. The story of spaces after periods is often told as though monospaced typewriter fonts needed two spaces after a sentence for good readability and that the wide availability of proportional fonts on computers led to the switch to one space.

The use of single vs. Spacing after punctuation marks is covered in section 6 1 of the apa publication manual seventh edition. Quick tip for those who use two spaces.

Two spaces between sentences is too many. However if your instructor or non apa publisher has other requirements e g to use two spaces follow their specifications. If you are someone who can t break your two spaces after a period habit have no fear.