Word lets you have up to 13 columns, and the more you add, the less space each column gets. Three Columns: 1.83″ width for each column, with a 0.5″ space between columns.Īnd it goes on like that.Two Columns: 3″ width for each column, with a 0.5″ space between columns.Start with an 8.5″ width for the paper size, take away 1″ on either side for the default page margins, and you’re left with 6.5″ for the actual text. This is the standard setup you’re used to seeing when you start typing in a blank document with default page settings. One Column: 6.5″ width for the column.When you set a Word document to use multiple columns, Word assigns a default column width that depends on the number of columns you choose. Set Up Column Width Precisely with the Columns Dialog Box