Stanford Dissertation format requirements
Stanford Dissertation calls for margins of 1.5 in left and 1 in right, top and bottom, Times New Roman 12 pt body text and double line spacing. Page numbers are Roman numerals in the front matter (bottom centre) and Arabic numerals in the main text (bottom centre).
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Check your file against Stanford Dissertation
Checks your university's layout rules and tells you exactly what it checked and what it could not.
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Stanford Dissertation
University · United States
- Rules we check
- 23
- Source checked
- 31 Aug 2026
Your Word file
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Stanford Dissertation rules the checker applies
Each row is a rule the checker applies. "Checked automatically" rules can be reported as broken; "Shown for review" rules only appear for you to look at.
| Rule | Required value | How it is checked |
|---|---|---|
| Paper size | Letter (8.5 × 11 in) | Checked automatically |
| Left margin | 1.5 in | Checked automatically |
| Right margin | 1 in | Checked automatically |
| Top margin | 1 in | Checked automatically |
| Bottom margin | 1 in | Checked automatically |
| Mirrored margins for two-sided printing | Mirrored margins with a 1.5 in inner margin when printed on both sides | Checked automatically |
| Page numbers | A page number is shown | Checked automatically |
| Page-number format | Roman numerals for the front matter, then Arabic numerals | Checked automatically |
| Page-number position | Front matter: bottom centre; main text: bottom centre | Checked automatically |
| Body font | Times New Roman | Shown for review |
| Body font size | 12 pt | Checked automatically |
| Line spacing | Double | Checked automatically |
| Heading 1 style | Formatter style: Times New Roman, 14 pt, bold, not italic, centred; the chapter-title style is also accepted | Shown for review |
| Heading 2 style | Formatter style: Times New Roman, 12 pt, bold, not italic, left | Shown for review |
| Heading 3 style | Formatter style: Times New Roman, 12 pt, bold, italic, left | Shown for review |
| Heading 4 style | Formatter style: Times New Roman, 12 pt, not bold, italic, left | Shown for review |
| Table of contents | Checker's own test: the file has a table of contents | Shown for review |
| Live table of contents | Checker's own test: the table of contents is a Word field, not typed text | Shown for review |
| Order of the front pages | Front pages in this order: abstract, then preface, acknowledgements and dedication (in any order), then table of contents, then list of tables, then list of figures | Checked automatically |
| Tracked changes | Checker's own test: no tracked changes left in the file | Checked automatically |
| Empty paragraphs as spacing | Checker's own test: spacing set with paragraph settings, not stacks of empty paragraphs | Shown for review |
| Manual page breaks | Checker's own test: layout not held together by manual page breaks | Shown for review |
| Fonts in the body text | Checker's own test: one main font across the body text | Shown for review |
What this checker cannot verify
The checker reads the settings stored in your Word file. It does not open Word and it cannot see where pages break, so it does not judge these:
- Title page layout. Whether the title page follows Stanford Dissertation's template.
- Abstract format and length. Whether the abstract follows Stanford Dissertation's format and length limit.
- Chapters starting on a new page. Whether each chapter starts at the top of a page.
- Reference list format. Whether each reference follows the citation style. The citation checker covers reference and citation consistency.
- Captions, tables and figures. Caption wording, numbering and placement of tables and figures.
- Footnote layout. Footnote font, size and spacing.
- Block quotations. Indentation and spacing of long quotations.
- Which paragraphs are headings. Whether every heading uses a heading style and the levels follow each other without gaps.
- Page number on the title page. Whether the title page and other opening pages show, or hide, their number as Stanford Dissertation requires.
- Signed forms and approval pages. Signature, approval or submission pages that Stanford Dissertation requires.
- Numbering of tables and figures. Whether tables and figures are numbered in sequence.
- Layout of the reference list. Hanging indent and line spacing of the reference list.
Questions about Stanford Dissertation and the checker
What are the margin requirements for Stanford Dissertation?
Stanford Dissertation calls for margins of 1.5 in left and 1 in right, top and bottom on Letter paper (8.5 × 11 in). The checker compares every section of your file with these values.
What font, font size and line spacing does Stanford Dissertation expect?
Stanford Dissertation calls for Times New Roman 12 pt body text with double line spacing. The checker reads the font, size and spacing that most of the body text uses.
How should page numbers look for Stanford Dissertation?
Page numbers are Roman numerals in the front matter (bottom centre) and Arabic numerals in the main text (bottom centre). The checker reads the page-number fields in the headers and footers; it does not open Word, so it cannot see where pages break.
What does the TypesetOS format checker check, and what can it not check?
For Stanford Dissertation it applies 23 rules: 13 can be reported as broken, and 10 are shown for you to review. It does not check title page layout, abstract format and length, chapters starting on a new page, reference list format, captions, tables and figures, footnote layout, block quotations, which paragraphs are headings, page number on the title page, signed forms and approval pages, numbering of tables and figures and layout of the reference list.
Is my thesis kept private, and does the checker use AI?
The file is checked on our server and deleted right after the check. The check uses no AI and needs no sign-up.
Can TypesetOS fix what the checker finds?
The TypesetOS formatter normally fixes many problems in page setup, page numbers, body text and heading styles. The checker deletes your file after the check, so you upload it again to format it, and you see a preview before you pay. The checker reports what it measured and does not decide whether Stanford Dissertation will accept your submission.
Current TypesetOS preset settings
This is a product configuration summary, not an approval or endorsement from the named institution or style authority.
Page geometry
- left margin
- 1.5 in
- right margin
- 1 in
- top margin
- 1 in
- bottom margin
- 1 in
Body text
- Font
- Times New Roman
- Font size
- 12 pt
- Line spacing
- Double (2.0)
- Alignment
- left
What TypesetOS applies
- Page margins: 1 in top, 1 in right, 1 in bottom, and 1.5 in left.
- Body typography: Times New Roman, 12 pt, Double (2.0) line spacing, left alignment.
- 5 configured heading styles from the released preset.
- Page-number position: bottom center.
What to verify before submission
TypesetOS formats the rules represented by this released preset. Always compare the output with the current instructions for your degree, department, submission system, required forms, signatures, and front matter.
Source and provenance
Preset source: Stanford Student Services — Format Requirements for Your Dissertation or Thesis
Source checked by TypesetOS: 2026-08-31
Use the source as the final authority if it conflicts with this product summary.