When you add a page border in Word, the border can be positioned relative to the edge of the page or relative to the text margins. Many users add a border only to find it cuts off content or sits too close to the page edge. This setting is controlled by the Measure from option in the Borders and Shading dialog. This article explains the difference between the two options and shows you how to set each one.
Key Takeaways: Setting Page Border Margins in Word
- Design > Page Borders > Options > Measure from > Edge: Places the border a fixed distance from the physical paper edge, ignoring text margins.
- Design > Page Borders > Options > Measure from > Text: Places the border relative to the text margins, so the border moves if you change margins.
- Design > Page Borders > Options > Top/Bottom/Left/Right fields: Sets the exact distance in points between the border and the chosen reference point (Edge or Text).
What the Measure From Setting Controls
The page border in Word is a decorative line that appears around each page. You can choose a simple box, a shadow, a 3-D effect, or a custom art border. The position of that border depends on the Measure from setting inside the Borders and Shading dialog.
When you set Measure from to Edge, the border is placed a fixed distance from the physical edge of the paper. This distance is controlled by the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right fields in the same dialog. The border ignores the document’s text margins entirely. This setting is useful when you want the border to be consistent regardless of margin changes.
When you set Measure from to Text, the border is placed relative to the text margins. The distance you enter in the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right fields is added to the existing text margins. If you later increase the left margin, the border moves further to the right as well. This setting is useful when you want the border to always stay a certain distance from the text.
Steps to Set Page Border Margins From Edge or From Text
Follow these steps to change the Measure from setting and adjust the border position. The steps are the same for Word 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word for Microsoft 365.
- Open the Borders and Shading dialog
Click the Design tab on the ribbon. In the Page Background group, click Page Borders. The Borders and Shading dialog opens with the Page Border tab selected. - Choose a border style
Under Setting on the left, select Box, Shadow, 3-D, or Custom. If you select Custom, you can apply different line styles to each edge. For a simple test, select Box. - Open the Options dialog
In the lower-right corner of the Borders and Shading dialog, click the Options button. The Border and Shading Options dialog opens. - Set Measure from to Edge or Text
In the Measure from dropdown, select Edge or Text. The default is Edge. When you select Text, the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right fields change their reference point. - Adjust the border distance
In the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right fields, enter the distance in points. One point equals 1/72 of an inch. For example, to place the border 0.5 inches from the paper edge, enter 36 points. To place the border 0.25 inches from the text margins, enter 18 points. Click OK to close the Options dialog. - Apply the border
In the Apply to dropdown, select Whole document, This section, or From this point forward. Click OK to close the Borders and Shading dialog. The border appears on your pages according to the settings you chose.
Common Problems and What to Check
The border is cut off or missing on one edge
This usually happens when the border distance is set too close to the page edge. Most printers have a non-printable area around the paper. If the border falls inside that area, the printer skips it. To fix this, increase the distance in the Options dialog. Set Measure from to Edge, then increase the Top, Bottom, Left, or Right value to at least 24 points (1/3 inch).
The border moves when I change text margins
This occurs when Measure from is set to Text. When you change the text margins in the Layout tab, the border follows the new margin position. If you want the border to stay in the same place regardless of margins, change Measure from back to Edge.
The border appears on some pages but not others
Check the Apply to setting in the Borders and Shading dialog. If it is set to This section, the border only applies to the current section. To apply the border to every page, select Whole document. Also check if section breaks exist. Each section can have its own border settings.
Using Measure From Edge With Different Paper Sizes
When you set Measure from to Edge, the border position is tied to the physical paper edge. If you change the paper size from Letter to A4, the border stays the same distance from the paper edge. This can cause the border to appear closer to the text on a smaller page. To keep a consistent visual gap between the border and the text, switch to Measure from Text and enter a fixed distance there.
Page Border Margins: Edge vs Text Comparison
| Item | Measure from Edge | Measure from Text |
|---|---|---|
| Reference point | Physical paper edge | Text margin boundary |
| Border moves when margins change | No | Yes |
| Border moves when paper size changes | No | Yes, because text margins may shift |
| Common use case | Consistent border position regardless of content layout | Border that stays a fixed distance from the text |
| Printer clipping risk | Higher if distance is too small | Lower, because border follows margin which is already printable |
You can now control exactly where your page border appears by choosing the correct Measure from option. Start by deciding whether the border should be fixed to the paper or fixed to the text. For documents that will be printed and bound, use Measure from Edge with a distance of at least 36 points to avoid clipping. For digital documents where the border must stay near the text, use Measure from Text and set a distance of 12 to 18 points. The Options dialog also lets you preview the border position before applying it.