LilyPond Notation Reference: 4.1.5 Horizontal spacing \paper variables

### 4.1.5 Horizontal spacing `\paper` variables

Note: Some `\paper` dimensions are automatically scaled to the paper size, which may lead to unexpected behavior. See Automatic scaling to paper size.

#### `\paper` variables for widths and margins

Default values (before scaling) that are not listed here are defined in file ‘`ly/paper-defaults-init.ly`’.

`paper-width`

  The width of the page, unset by default. While `paper-width` has no effect on the automatic scaling of some horizontal dimensions, it does influence the `line-width` variable. If both `paper-width` and `line-width` are set, then `left-margin` and `right-margin` will also be updated. Also see `check-consistency`.

`line-width`

  When specified in a `\paper` block this defines the horizontal extent available for the staff lines in un-indented systems. If left unspecified, the paper’s `line-width` is determined from `(paper-width - left-margin - right-margin)`. If the paper’s `line-width` is specified, and both `left-margin` and `right-margin` are not, then the margins will be updated to center the systems on the page automatically. Also see `check-consistency`.

  `line-width`s for individual scores can be specified in the scores’ `\layout` blocks. These values control the width of the lines produced on a score-by-score basis. If `line-width` is not specified for a score, it defaults to the paper’s `line-width`. Setting a score’s `line-width` has no effect on the paper margins. Staff lines, of a length determined by the score’s `line-width`, are left-aligned within the paper area defined by the paper’s `line-width`. If the score and paper `line-width`s are equal, the staff lines will extend exactly from the left margin to the right margin, but if the score’s `line-width` is greater than the paper’s `line-width` the staff lines will run over into the right margin.

`left-margin`

  The margin between the left edge of the page and the start of the staff lines in unindented systems. If the paper size is modified, this dimension’s default value is scaled accordingly. If `left-margin` is unset, and both `line-width` and `right-margin` are set, then `left-margin` is set to `(paper-width - line-width - right-margin)`. If only `line-width` is set, then both margins are set to `((paper-width - line-width) / 2)`, and the systems are consequently centered on the page. Also see `check-consistency`.

`right-margin`

  The margin between the right edge of the page and the end of the staff lines in non-ragged systems. If the paper size is modified, this dimension’s default value is scaled accordingly. If `right-margin` is unset, and both `line-width` and `left-margin` are set, then `right-margin` is set to `(paper-width - line-width - left-margin)`. If only `line-width` is set, then both margins are set to `((paper-width - line-width) / 2)`, and the systems are consequently centered on the page. Also see `check-consistency`.

`check-consistency`

  If this is true (the default value), print a warning if `left-margin`, `line-width`, and `right-margin` do not exactly add up to `paper-width`, and replace each of these (except `paper-width`) with their default values (scaled to the paper size if necessary). If set to false, ignore any inconsistencies and allow systems to run off the edge of the page.

`ragged-right`

  If set to true, systems will not fill the line width. Instead, systems end at their natural horizontal length. Default: `#t` for scores with only one system, and `#f` for scores with two or more systems. This variable can also be set in a `\layout` block.

`ragged-last`

  If set to true, the last system in the score will not fill the line width. Instead the last system ends at its natural horizontal length. Default: `#f`. This variable can also be set in a `\layout` block.

#### See also

Notation Reference: Automatic scaling to paper size.

Installed Files: ‘`ly/paper-defaults-init.ly`’.

#### Known issues and warnings

Explicitly defined paper sizes will override any user-defined left or right margin settings.

#### `\paper` variables for two-sided mode

Default values (before scaling) are defined in ‘`ly/paper-defaults-init.ly`’.

`two-sided`

  If set to true, use `inner-margin`, `outer-margin` and `binding-offset` to determine margins depending on whether the page number is odd or even. This overrides `left-margin` and `right-margin`.

`inner-margin`

  The margin all pages have at the inner side if they are part of a book. If the paper size is modified, this dimension’s default value is scaled accordingly. Works only with `two-sided` set to true.

`outer-margin`

  The margin all pages have at the outer side if they are part of a book. If the paper size is modified, this dimension’s default value is scaled accordingly. Works only with `two-sided` set to true.

`binding-offset`

  The amount `inner-margin` is increased to make sure nothing will be hidden by the binding. If the paper size is modified, this dimension’s default value is scaled accordingly. Works only with `two-sided` set to true.

#### See also

Notation Reference: Automatic scaling to paper size.

Installed Files: ‘`ly/paper-defaults-init.ly`’.

#### `\paper` variables for shifts and indents

Default values (before scaling) that are not listed here are defined in ‘`ly/paper-defaults-init.ly`’.

`horizontal-shift`

  The amount that all systems (including titles and system separators) are shifted to the right. Default: `0.0\mm`.

`indent`

  The level of indentation for the first system in a score. If the paper size is modified, this dimension’s default value is scaled accordingly. The space within `line-width` available for the first system is reduced by this amount. `indent` may also be specified in `\layout` blocks to set indents on a score-by-score basis.

`short-indent`

  The level of indentation for all systems in a score besides the first system. If the paper size is modified, this dimension’s default value is scaled accordingly. The space within `line-width` available for systems other than the first is reduced by this amount. `short-indent` may also be specified in `\layout` blocks to set short indents on a score-by-score basis.

#### See also

Notation Reference: Automatic scaling to paper size.

Installed Files: ‘`ly/paper-defaults-init.ly`’.

Snippets: Spacing.

#### LilyPond — Notation Reference v2.24.4 (stable-branch).