What are basic screenwriting formatting rules…
The importance of correct screenplay formatting lies in the need to make a script easy to read.
Good script formatting allows a reader to immerse themselves in the story, rather than getting distracted by screenwriting formatting.
Here are the absolute basics of screenplay formatting:
![](https://i0.wp.com/writesofluid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/list-2389219_640.png?resize=640%2C640)
Font
12-point Courier.
![](https://i0.wp.com/writesofluid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/list-2389219_640.png?resize=640%2C640)
Margins
7mm left margin, 25mm right margin. No justification. Don’t shrink margins for more space.
![](https://i0.wp.com/writesofluid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/list-2389219_640.png?resize=640%2C640)
Slugline
Capital letters, left-aligned, keep it simple:
INT/EXT. PLACE – DAY/NIGHT
![](https://i0.wp.com/writesofluid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/list-2389219_640.png?resize=640%2C640)
Action descriptions
Present, active tense (“sits”, not “is sitting” or “is sat”), to-the-point, no more than 4 lines a paragraph.
![](https://i0.wp.com/writesofluid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/list-2389219_640.png?resize=640%2C640)
Character names
Capitalised the first time they are introduced, normal case thereafter. Central and capitalised before dialogue.
![](https://i0.wp.com/writesofluid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/list-2389219_640.png?resize=640%2C640)
Dialogue
Normal case, 88mm from left margin, not beyond 35 characters across.
Want to learn more about formatting> Check out our ‘learn formatting’ section!