How to Double Underline in Google Docs (4 Working Methods)

Want to know how to double underline in Google Docs? You are not alone. Unlike Microsoft Word, Google Docs does not have a built-in double underline button — but that does not mean it is impossible.

In this guide, you will learn working methods to double underline text in Google Docs, whether you are on a desktop browser, a Mac, a Chromebook, or your phone. We will also cover whether a keyboard shortcut exists and when you would actually need a double underline in your document.

Quick Tips

Before diving into the full step-by-step methods, here is a fast reference:

• Fastest method: Format → Paragraph styles → Borders and shading → Bottom border → select a double-line style
• Most precise method: Insert → Drawing → draw two parallel lines using the Line tool
• For text with double underline: Insert → Equation → type \underline twice → add your text
• One-time fix: Create the double underline in Microsoft Word and paste it into Google Docs
• No keyboard shortcut exists for double underline in Google Docs

Can You Double Underline in Google Docs?

No — Google Docs does not have a native double underline formatting option. If you open the Format menu and go to Format → Text, you will see options for bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough — but no double underline.

This is one area where Microsoft Word has an advantage. Word includes double underline as a built-in text formatting option under the Font dialog box, accessible with the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + D. Google Docs has not added this feature yet.

However, there are four practical workarounds that let you simulate a double underline in Google Docs. Here is a quick comparison before we dive into each one:

How to Double Underline in Google Docs

Method 1: Using Paragraph Borders (Easiest and Most Reliable)

This is the quickest and most native method for creating a double underline effect in Google Docs. It combines a standard underline with a paragraph bottom border to produce two lines beneath your text.

1. Open your Google Doc and type the text you want to double underline.
2. Select the text and press Ctrl + U (Windows/Chromebook) or Cmd + U (Mac) to apply a standard underline.
3. With the text still selected, click Format in the top menu bar.
4. Hover over Paragraph styles and select Borders and shading from the submenu.
5. In the Borders and Shading window, click the Bottom border option under the Position section.
6. In the Paragraph Padding section, set the value to 0 pt so the border sits close to the text.
7. Click Apply to save your changes.

The result is text with a standard underline from Step 2 and a paragraph border line just below it — creating a clean double underline effect.

Pro Tip: You can also adjust the border width and color in the Borders and Shading window to match your document’s design. A thicker border width makes the double underline more noticeable.

Why this method works best:

• It is the most native approach available in Google Docs
• Works for any length of text — words, sentences, or entire paragraphs
• The formatting stays intact when you print or export to PDF
• Consistent appearance across different devices and platforms

Method 2: Using the Drawing Tool (Most Customizable)

The Drawing Tool gives you complete control over line thickness, length, spacing, and color. This method works best when you need a precise, visually customized double underline.

1. Open your Google Doc and place your cursor where you want the double-underlined text to appear.
2. Click Insert in the top menu bar.
3. Select Drawing from the dropdown menu, then choose New.
4. In the Drawing window, click the Line tool in the toolbar (it looks like a diagonal line).
5. Draw a horizontal line on the drawing canvas. Hold Shift while drawing to keep it perfectly straight.
6. Copy the line using Ctrl + C (or Cmd + C on Mac) and paste it with Ctrl + V (or Cmd + V).
7. Drag the second line directly below the first to create two parallel horizontal lines.
8. Select both lines together (click one, then Shift-click the other) and go to Actions → Group so they move together.
9. Click Save and Close to insert the drawing into your document.
10. Click the drawing in your document and select Behind text from the options that appear, then drag it beneath your text.

Tip: To resize or reposition the drawing, click on it and drag the handles. Use Image options for precise size and position control.

Method 3: Using the Equation Tool (Best for Short Text)

This method uses Google Docs’ built-in Equation editor to stack two underline commands beneath your text. It works well for short words or phrases but becomes tedious for longer passages.

1. Open your Google Doc and click where you want to insert the double-underlined text.
2. Click Insert in the top menu bar.
3. Select Equation from the dropdown. The Equation Editor toolbar will appear.
4. In the equation box, type \underline and press the Spacebar. A single underline box will appear.
5. Inside that box, type \underline again and press the Spacebar. A second underline will appear beneath the first.
6. Now type your text inside the inner box. The text will appear with two underlines beneath it.
7. Click outside the equation box to finalize.

Limitation: This method is best for short words or numbers. For longer text, the Equation editor becomes difficult to work with. Use Method 1 or Method 2 instead.

Method 4: Copy and Paste from Microsoft Word (Easiest One-Time Fix)

If you have access to Microsoft Word, this is the simplest one-time solution. Word supports double underline natively, and pasting Word content into Google Docs can preserve the formatting.

1. Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
2. Type the text you want to double underline.
3. Select the text, then go to Home → Font dialog (click the small arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Font group).
4. In the Underline style dropdown, select the double underline option. You can also use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + D in Word.
5. Click OK to apply.
6. Copy the formatted text using Ctrl + C (or Cmd + C on Mac).
7. Open your Google Docs document and paste using Ctrl + V to try to preserve the Word formatting.

Does It Work? Results vary. Google Docs sometimes preserves the double underline from Word and sometimes converts it to a single underline. If it does not work, try pasting via the web browser version of Google Docs rather than the desktop app, or use Method 1 instead.

Is There a Double Underline Keyboard Shortcut in Google Docs?

No — there is no built-in keyboard shortcut for double underline in Google Docs because the feature does not exist natively in the software.

In Microsoft Word, you can use Ctrl + Shift + D to apply a double underline. This shortcut does not work in Google Docs.

How to Double Underline in Google Docs on Mobile

Unfortunately, none of the four methods above work fully on the Google Docs mobile app for iPhone, iPad, or Android. The mobile app has limited formatting options and does not support table property editing, add-ons, or equation insertion the same way the desktop version does.

Best Option on Mobile

The most practical approach on mobile is:

1. Create the double underline formatting on a desktop first using Method 1 or Method 5
2. Open the document on your mobile device — the double underline formatting will display correctly even on mobile
3. Continue editing other parts of the document on mobile without affecting the double underline

Tip: If you only need to view the double-underlined text on mobile (not create it), the formatting will display correctly in the Google Docs app as long as it was created on desktop first.

When to Use Double Underline in a Document

Double underlines are not commonly used in everyday documents, but they serve specific purposes in certain fields:

• Accounting and finance: Double underlines are traditionally used to indicate a final total or grand total in financial statements such as balance sheets and income statements. This is the most common professional use case.
• Legal documents: Some legal formatting styles use double underlines to distinguish sections or mark final figures and key obligations.
• Academic papers: Certain citation styles or professor-specific requirements may call for double underlines on specific elements. In traditional proofreading, a double underline below text signals that it should be capitalized.
• Design and emphasis: Double underlines can add visual weight to headings or key terms when a standard underline is not prominent enough.

Outside of these specific use cases, use double underlines sparingly. Overusing them can make a document look cluttered and may confuse readers who are not familiar with the convention.

Tips for Using Double Underlines Effectively

• Limit double underlines to one or two key areas per page to maintain visual impact
• Combine with bold text for section titles or key figures that need maximum emphasis
• Keep the formatting consistent — if you use double underlines for totals, use them for every total in the document
• Always review your document before finalizing to make sure the double underlines enhance rather than clutter your content

Troubleshooting: Double Underline Not Working in Google Docs

Problem: The border line is too far from the text
Fix: In the Borders and Shading window (Method 1), reduce the Paragraph Padding to 0 pt so the border line sits close to the standard underline.

Problem: The drawing keeps moving when I edit the document
Fix: Click the drawing and change the wrapping option to Fix position on page under Image options. This locks the drawing in place regardless of text edits.

Problem: The equation text looks different from the rest of the document
Fix: The Equation editor uses a different font (typically a math font). This is a known limitation of Method 3. For consistent appearance, use Method 1 instead.

Problem: Pasted Word formatting does not carry over
Fix: Try pasting using Ctrl + Shift + V to force paste with formatting, or use the Google Docs web version in Chrome rather than the desktop app.

Conclusion

Google Docs does not support double underline natively, but there are four reliable workarounds depending on your situation:

• Easiest and most reliable: Paragraph Borders method — combine Ctrl+U with a bottom paragraph border
• Most customizable: Drawing Tool — draw two parallel lines with full control over thickness and spacing
• Best for short text: Equation Tool — stack two \underline commands in the equation editor
• Best for frequent use: Install a Google Docs formatting add-on for one-click application
• Easiest one-time fix: Create the double underline in Microsoft Word and paste into Google Docs

For most users, Method 1 (Paragraph Borders) is the best balance of ease and quality. It takes under a minute, uses native Google Docs features, and produces a clean result that holds up when printing or exporting to PDF.

Looking for more Google Docs formatting help? Check out these related guides:

• How to Underline in Google Docs — All methods for standard underlining on every device
• How to Add and Remove Dotted Line in Google Docs