Save paper with duplex printing on any printer
| Where you print from | Setting to use |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Word (Windows) | File, Print, change Print One Sided to Print on Both Sides (or Manually Print on Both Sides) |
| Other Windows apps | Ctrl+P, Printer Properties or Preferences, Two-sided or Duplex |
| Mac (any app) | Cmd+P, tick Two-Sided (in some apps under Layout, Two-Sided: Long-Edge binding) |
| iPhone or iPad | Share, Print, turn on Double-sided (shown when the printer supports duplex) |
| Chrome, Chromebook, Google Docs | Ctrl+P, More settings, tick Print on both sides |
| Printer without auto duplex | Print odd pages, flip the stack as the printer's diagram shows, print even pages |
Menu names from Microsoft, Apple and Google's own help pages; wording varies slightly by version and printer driver. Updated 2026.
Pages flip like a book. Both sides read top-to-bottom.
Best for: Reports, essays, booklets, most documents
Book-style binding
Pages flip like a notepad. Back is upside-down relative to front.
Best for: Calendars, notepads, landscape documents
Calendar-style binding
If your printer doesn't support automatic duplex, you can still print on both sides manually:
In print dialog, select "Odd pages only" or "Pages: 1,3,5,7..."
Take printed pages and flip them over. Keep them in the same order.
Put the flipped stack back in the paper tray (blank side facing the direction your printer prints on)
Select "Even pages only" and print. Done!
Tip: Do a test with 2-3 pages first to figure out which way to flip and reload the paper for your specific printer.
Your printer may not support automatic duplex. Check your printer's specifications or use the manual method above.
You selected the wrong binding edge. Switch between "Long edge" and "Short edge" and try again.
Use fresh, flat paper. Curled or damp paper jams more often. Also try reducing the stack size.
Tap Share, then Print, and turn on Double-sided. The switch only appears when the printer supports automatic duplex; if it is missing, print odd and even pages separately using the page range.
Go to File, Print, and change Print One Sided to Print on Both Sides. If your printer cannot duplex, pick Manually Print on Both Sides and Word will prompt you to reload the paper.
The printer has no duplex unit, the driver does not know the duplex unit is installed, or a generic driver is in use. Install the manufacturer's driver, check the device settings for a duplex option, or use manual double-sided printing.
Long edge for portrait documents that read like a book. Short edge for landscape pages or anything flipped top to bottom, like a notepad or calendar.
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