A Word document usually prints small because its page size is smaller than the paper in your printer, or because a print setting is shrinking it. Go to Layout > Size and pick the paper you’re printing on, such as Letter or A4. Then open File > Print and make sure the last setting says 1 Page Per Sheet with no scaling.
This guide is for Word in Microsoft 365 and recent versions of Word for Windows (the old copy covered Word 2013, where the tab was called Page Layout). It uses Microsoft’s printing and print preview and print a document in Word help pages, plus print-scaling steps from Microsoft Q&A.
Common Causes and Fixes
| Cause | Where to fix it |
|---|---|
| Page size is smaller than your paper | Layout > Size |
| More than one page per sheet | File > Print > 1 Page Per Sheet |
| Scaled to a different paper size | File > Print > Pages per sheet menu > Scale to Paper Size |
| Comments and tracked changes printing | File > Print > Print All Pages menu > Print Markup |
| Printer driver scaling | File > Print > Printer Properties |
Fix 1: Match the Page Size to Your Paper
If the person who created the document set a smaller page size, Word shrinks or places that small page on your larger sheet. Changing the page size to match your paper fixes it.
- Open the document in Word.
- Select the Layout tab at the top of the window.
- Select Size in the Page Setup group.
- Choose the paper you’re actually printing on, such as Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) or A4.
- Select File > Print to check the preview.
Result: The pages in your document now match your paper, and the preview should fill the page as expected. Text and images may move to new pages, so scroll through the document before you print.
Fix 2: Check the Pages Per Sheet and Scaling Settings
Word combines printing and preview in one window. The last option under Settings controls how many pages print on each sheet and whether Word scales the document to a different paper size.
- Select File > Print, or press Ctrl + P.
- Under Settings, find the last drop-down menu. It normally says 1 Page Per Sheet.
- If it shows 2, 4, or more pages per sheet, change it back to 1 Page Per Sheet.
- In the same menu, point to Scale to Paper Size and choose No Scaling if you want to print at 100%, or pick the paper size in your printer.
- Check the preview on the right, then select Print.
Result: Each page of your document prints on its own sheet at full size.
Fix 3: Stop Comments and Tracked Changes From Shrinking the Page
When Word prints comments and tracked changes, it adds a markup area beside the text, which can make the document itself print smaller. Microsoft’s print guide shows where to control this:
- Select File > Print.
- Under Settings, select the arrow next to Print All Pages.
- Clear the check mark next to Print Markup.
Result: The document prints without the comment area, so the text uses the full page width. If you still need the comments, print one copy with markup and one without.
Fix 4: Turn Off Automatic A4 and Letter Scaling
Word has an option that resizes documents made for A4 paper to fit Letter paper, or the other way around. It helps when you share files between countries, but it can make text print slightly smaller than you expect.
- Select File > Options.
- Select Advanced and scroll to the Print section.
- Clear Scale content for A4 or 8.5 x 11″ paper sizes, then select OK.
Result: Word prints the document at its own page size instead of scaling it. Make sure the page size from Fix 1 matches your paper first.
Fix 5: Check Your Printer’s Scaling Settings
If every program prints small, not just Word, the setting is probably in the printer driver. In File > Print, select Printer Properties under your printer’s name and look for options such as scaling, fit to page, poster, or booklet printing. Set scaling to 100% and the paper size to the paper in the tray. Option names vary by printer brand, so check your printer’s manual if you can’t find them.
Is It the Font or the Zoom Level?
Zooming in Word only changes how big the page looks on your screen, not how it prints. If your document looks fine at 150% zoom but prints small, set the zoom to 100% and check the actual font size on the Home tab. Text at 8 or 9 points will look small on paper even when every print setting is correct.
If your document’s layout looks unusual on screen, you can get your Word document back to normal view first. If a dialog box is stuck open while you change settings, here’s how to close a dialog box in Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Word document look normal on screen but print small?
The most common reasons are a page size that doesn’t match your paper, a pages-per-sheet setting above 1, or a scaling setting in Word or the printer driver. Check Layout > Size first, then the last setting in File > Print.
How do I make a Word document print full size?
Set the page size to your paper under Layout > Size, choose 1 Page Per Sheet in File > Print, and set Scale to Paper Size to No Scaling.
Can I change the paper size in Word for the web?
Yes. See how to change the paper size in Word Online for the steps in the browser version.
Can one page print in a different orientation?
Yes, by using section breaks. Here’s how to make only one page landscape in Word.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
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