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 ‘`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`

  The horizontal extent of the staff lines in unindented, non-ragged systems, equal to `(paper-width - left-margin - right-margin)` when unset. If `line-width` is set, and both `left-margin` and `right-margin` are unset, then the margins will be updated to center the systems on the page automatically. Also see `check-consistency`. This variable can also be set in a `\layout` block.

`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 set to true, 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 its default value (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`’.

#### `\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. This variable can also be set in a `\layout` block.

`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. 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`’.

Snippets: Spacing.

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