View Full Version : Sentence spacing - do you use one space or two after a period?


TJ
04-24-2026, 04:15 PM
There's quite a bit of debate about it online. When I learned how to type on typewriters and computer keyboards in the 1980s, I was taught to always put two spaces after a period. I guess one space became the standard at some point.

Many people over 50 are probably still using two spaces. I mostly use two spaces, especially when writing a lot of text. I think it makes it easier to read. I'm trying to train myself to use only one space all the time, but it's not an easy habit to break.

Is it wrong or a crime to still use two spaces? I think people should use whatever makes them comfortable.

stevea
04-24-2026, 04:19 PM
Two. Mrs. Vogt in typing class said so. What Sgt. Vogt said, goes. Feet flat on the floor. Eyes on the copy not the keys. Two spaces after a period.

Dude111
04-24-2026, 07:35 PM
Just 1 space buddy.. I love ya soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much Todd :)

AMackII
04-24-2026, 07:52 PM
1 Space

biffbronson
04-25-2026, 07:55 AM
Many people over 50 are probably still using two spaces.

That's the case for me. It's what I was taught, I had a typing class in high school. When I write messages, letters, and a monthly newsletter I always use 2.

However, I'm now a contributor to a website that requires me to use just one when I enter info into their database.

stevea
04-25-2026, 08:24 AM
That's the case for me. It's what I was taught, I had a typing class in high school. When I write messages, letters, and a monthly newsletter I always use 2.

However, I'm now a contributor to a website that requires me to use just one when I enter info into their database.

I think (but I'm not sure) this site takes one of the spaces out when one puts two spaces after periods. I haven't really noticed that (although I'll check this post) but I've noticed it after semicolons (I was also taught to put two spaces after those).

Edit: Yep, on display it edits out the second space after periods.

Dude111
04-25-2026, 09:02 AM
I think its silly  to  type  like  this!! (2 spaces)

stevea
04-25-2026, 11:39 AM
It goes back to how you were taught to type.

ThisLittlePiggy
04-25-2026, 01:00 PM
2

Dude111
04-25-2026, 01:13 PM
Why would you put 2??

Why not put 5 spaces??

This     looks     good     doesnt     it     dues??

stevea
04-25-2026, 04:36 PM
Why would you put 2??

Why not put 5 spaces??

This looks good doesnt it dues??

As I said before, because I and I think probably the others were taught to do it that way.

I don't think it's something to get bent out of shape about.

JamesG
04-25-2026, 05:26 PM
Never learned to do 2 spaces after a period.

I don't think it's taught in school anymore, but I learned to type "the correct way" in my schooling during '90s-2000s. We had to memorize the keyboard, they would quiz us on worksheets with a blank keyboard where we had to fill in the letters/numbers/symbols.

Teachers would also have us practice typing without looking down at the keyboard.

biffbronson
04-25-2026, 06:28 PM
I think its silly to type like this!! (2 spaces)

You're making a mockery of conventional typesetting and typing that went back centuries. After a period or colon: 2 spaces = full stop. If you think that's "silly," there's no more to be said.

stevea
04-25-2026, 06:39 PM
You're making a mockery of conventional typesetting and typing that went back centuries. After a period or colon: 2 spaces = full stop. If you think that's "silly," there's no more to be said.

I misspoke (mistyped) above - I think I said I was taught to double space after a period and semicolon. Yes, it was period and colon.

Dude111
04-25-2026, 09:46 PM
No im just making jokes,im sorry everyone!!

Foggy
05-03-2026, 10:06 PM
(...)
Where did the one-space vs. two-spaces rule come from?

The origin of using two spaces between sentences was on typewriters.
Double spacing made it easier to see the beginning of new sentences
when writing with typewriters.
But this practice is no longer needed on computers,
which automatically use proportionally spaced fonts.

(...)

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/punctuation-capitalization/spaces-after-period/


If you are using a typewriter - use two spaces
If you are typing on a computer - use one space

icecream
05-03-2026, 11:44 PM
Keyboards were a wonderful invention. From what I have heard about typewriters they were a pain to use.

Dude111
05-04-2026, 12:44 AM
Some keyboards are a pain also!!