How to Format Screenplay Margins (illustrated guide)

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Published: October 16, 2025 | Last Updated: October 21, 2025

Why Proper Margins and Formatting Matter

Margins help keep every element (action, dialogue, and scene headings) in the right place. Screenplays follow a “one page equals one minute” rule, and this only works when the layout is consistent. Incorrect margins make timing unpredictable and reduce readability for producers and crew.

Standard Page Margins

Use U.S. letter-size paper (8.5 × 11 inches) with these margin settings:

• Top: 1 inch
• Bottom: 1 inch
• Left: 1.5 inches
• Right: 1 inch

The left margin is wider to leave space for binding. The right margin may vary slightly by about a quarter inch, but it should stay close to one inch for consistency.

Font, Line Count, and Spacing

Screenplays use 12‑point Courier or Courier Final Draft. This monospaced font keeps each letter the same width, which makes timing predictable and keeps pages uniform.

• Line spacing: single-spaced
• Blank lines: one blank line between different elements
• Lines per page: about 55 lines, which equals roughly one minute of screen time

Element Positions and Indents

Every type of element in a screenplay has its own placement on the page. These are the standard positions used across the industry:

• Scene Headings: flush left with no indent
• Action Lines: flush left, full width between margins
• Character Names/Cues: start about 3.7 inches from the left edge
• Parentheticals: start about 3.1 inches from the left edge
• Dialogue: starts about 2.5 inches from the left and ends around 6 inches across
• Transitions (CUT TO:, FADE OUT): aligned to the right margin

You should always use these positions to make the script easy to scan and quick to follow. They also keep formatting uniform when a script is printed or shared digitally.

Page Numbers and Title Page Rules

Correct placement of page numbers and title information is also part of standard screenplay format.

• Page numbers: top right corner, about half an inch from the top
• First script page: numbered as page 2 since the title page does not count
• Title page: title centered vertically; writer name, contact, and date lower on the page
• Scene numbers: used in shooting drafts and placed to the left and right of scene headings

Using Software or Manual Setup

Professional screenwriting software applies these margins and indents automatically.

If you write in Word or Google Docs, you must set all margins, tab stops, and spacing by hand. This works if done carefully, but even small mistakes can make your script appear unprofessional. Templates or presets can help keep the layout accurate.

Common Formatting Mistakes

Incorrect margins can create visual and timing problems. Here are common mistakes to avoid:

• Using a non‑Courier font
• Indenting scene headings instead of keeping them flush left
• Letting dialogue run too wide across the page
• Skipping blank lines between sections
• Forgetting to number pages correctly

These errors often happen when scripts are written without proper templates or settings. Consistent formatting shows that you understand the professional standard.

Summing Up

Screenplay margins follow strict, widely accepted standards for clarity, pacing, and professional presentation. The standard settings are 1 inch at the top and bottom, 1.5 inches on the left, and 1 inch on the right. Each element, scene headings, action, character names, dialogue, and transitions, has a fixed position. Whether you use screenwriting software or format by hand, accurate margins keep your script clean, readable, and industry-ready.