> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/latex/questions-and-answers/25-how-do-i-change-column-or-row-separation-in-latex-tables.md).

# How do I change column or row separation in LaTeX tables?

One option is to use the commands `\setlength` and `\arraystretch` to change the horizontal spacing (column separation) and the vertical spacing (row separation) respectively; for example:

```latex
\setlength{\tabcolsep}{20pt}
\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5}
```

The following example, which can be opened directly in Overleaf, demonstrates the use of `\setlength` and `\arraystretch` spacings.

```latex
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

\section*{Table with default spacing}

% A table with default row and column spacing
\begin{tabular}{ l c c }
First Row & 6 & 5 \\
Second Row & 4 & 10\\
Third Row & 20 & 30\\
Fourth Row & 100 & 30\\
\end{tabular}

\section*{Table with adjusted spacing}

% A table with adjusted row and column spacing.

% \setlength sets the horizontal (column) spacing
% \arraystretch sets the vertical (row) spacing

\begingroup

\setlength{\tabcolsep}{10pt} % Default value: 6pt
\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.5} % Default value: 1
\begin{tabular}{ l c c }
First Row & 6 & 5 \\
Second Row & 4 & 10\\
Third Row & 20 & 30\\
Fourth Row & 100 & 30\\
\end{tabular}

\endgroup
% The \begingroup ... \endgroup pair ensures values of spacing
% parameters only affect this particular table, and not any
% subsequent ones in the document.
\end{document}
```

[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=LaTeX+Table+spacing+example\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%0A%5Csection%2A%7BTable+with+default+spacing%7D%0A%0A%25+A+table+with+default+row+and+column+spacing%0A%5Cbegin%7Btabular%7D%7B+l+c+c+%7D%0AFirst+Row+%26+6+%26+5+%5C%5C%0ASecond+Row+%26+4+%26+10%5C%5C%0AThird+Row+%26+20+%26+30%5C%5C%0AFourth+Row+%26+100+%26+30%5C%5C%0A%5Cend%7Btabular%7D%0A%0A%5Csection%2A%7BTable+with+adjusted+spacing%7D%0A%0A%25+A+table+with+adjusted+row+and+column+spacing.%0A%0A%25+%5Csetlength+sets+the+horizontal+%28column%29+spacing%0A%25+%5Carraystretch+sets+the+vertical+%28row%29+spacing%0A%0A%5Cbegingroup%0A%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Ctabcolsep%7D%7B10pt%7D+%25+Default+value%3A+6pt%0A%5Crenewcommand%7B%5Carraystretch%7D%7B1.5%7D+%25+Default+value%3A+1%0A%5Cbegin%7Btabular%7D%7B+l+c+c+%7D%0AFirst+Row+%26+6+%26+5+%5C%5C%0ASecond+Row+%26+4+%26+10%5C%5C%0AThird+Row+%26+20+%26+30%5C%5C%0AFourth+Row+%26+100+%26+30%5C%5C%0A%5Cend%7Btabular%7D%0A%0A%5Cendgroup%0A%25+The+%5Cbegingroup+...+%5Cendgroup+pair+ensures+values+of+spacing+%0A%25+parameters+only+affect+this+particular+table%2C+and+not+any%0A%25+subsequent+ones+in+the+document.%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)

This example produces the following output:

![Example demonstrating changing table spacing in LaTeX](/files/o0rSwI9kowvbPjvuoObx)


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