Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: Standard screenplay format uses 12-point Courier, a 1.5-inch left margin and 1-inch top, bottom and right margins. Each scene starts with a scene heading in capitals (INT. or EXT., location, time of day), followed by action in present tense. Character names are capitalized and indented above their dialogue. One page equals about one minute of screen time, so most features run 90 to 120 pages.
Key takeaways
- Courier 12 pt is the standard. It keeps the one-page-per-minute rule roughly true.
- Every scene starts with a scene heading: INT. or EXT., location, and time of day.
- Action is written in present tense and kept short.
- Dialogue sits in a narrow center column under a capitalized character name.
- Use software. Screenwriting programs apply the format automatically.
What is screenplay format?
Screenplay format is the industry-standard way of laying out a script for film and television. It controls the font, margins and placement of every element so that readers, producers and crews can read scripts quickly and estimate screen time. As a rough rule, one formatted page equals about one minute on screen.
Screenplay format example
Here’s a short scene in standard format. Note the placement of each element:
FADE IN:
INT. DINER – NIGHT
A near-empty diner on Sunset. MAYA (30s, still in her work apron) slides into a booth across from her brother LEO (20s).
MAYA
You said this was an emergency.
LEO
(sliding a script across)
It is. I need notes by morning.
Maya flips to the last page.
MAYA (CONT'D)
It's a hundred and forty pages.
LEO (V.O.)
Twelve hours earlier, I thought it was perfect.
CUT TO:
Basic screenplay format rules
| Setting | Standard |
|---|---|
| Font | Courier 12 pt (Courier Prime and Courier Final Draft are common variants) |
| Paper | US Letter, 8.5 x 11 inches |
| Left margin | 1.5 inches (room for binding) |
| Right, top and bottom margins | About 1 inch |
| Page numbers | Top right, starting on page 2; the title page is not numbered |
| Length | About one page per minute of screen time |
| Spacing | Single-spaced, with a blank line between elements |
The elements of a screenplay
| Element | What it is | Typical position (from left edge of page) |
|---|---|---|
| Scene heading (slug line) | INT. or EXT., location, time of day, in capitals | 1.5 inches |
| Action | What we see and hear, in present tense | 1.5 inches |
| Character name | Who is speaking, in capitals | About 3.7 inches |
| Parenthetical | A brief direction for how a line is said | About 3.1 inches |
| Dialogue | What the character says | About 2.5 inches, roughly 3.5 inches wide |
| Extension | (V.O.), (O.S.) or (CONT’D) after the character name | Same line as the name |
| Transition | CUT TO:, DISSOLVE TO:, FADE OUT. | Right-aligned |
Exact positions vary slightly between screenwriting programs, but any standard template will place these elements correctly.
Scene headings
Every new location or time starts a new scene heading: INT. DINER – NIGHT or EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER – DAY. INT. means interior, EXT. means exterior, and INT./EXT. covers scenes that move between the two, like a car.
Action lines
Action describes only what the audience will see and hear, in the present tense. Keep paragraphs to about three or four lines. Capitalize a character’s name the first time they appear, usually with an age range: MAYA (30s).
Character names, dialogue and parentheticals
The character name goes in capitals above the dialogue. Use parentheticals sparingly, only when a line’s meaning would be unclear without them. Directing every line with a parenthetical is a common beginner mistake.
Extensions: V.O., O.S. and CONT’D
- (V.O.) Voice-over: narration or a voice not present in the scene.
- (O.S.) Off-screen: the character is in the location but not on camera.
- (CONT’D) Continued: the same character keeps speaking after an action line.
Transitions
CUT TO: is implied between scenes, so modern scripts use transitions sparingly. Most scripts start with FADE IN: and end with FADE OUT.
How do you format special situations?
| Situation | How to format it |
|---|---|
| Montage | A heading like MONTAGE – MAYA STUDIES FOR THE BAR, then short lettered or dashed beats, ending with END MONTAGE. |
| Intercut phone call | Establish both locations with scene headings, then write INTERCUT – MAYA / LEO and continue the dialogue. |
| Flashback | Add FLASHBACK to the scene heading, e.g. INT. DINER – NIGHT (FLASHBACK), and mark the end with BACK TO PRESENT if needed. |
| Text on screen | Use SUPER: followed by the text, e.g. SUPER: “Los Angeles, 1999.” |
| Text messages | Describe it in action, then put the message in capitals or quotes, or use an INSERT – PHONE SCREEN heading. |
| Song lyrics | Put sung lines in dialogue, often in italics or with a parenthetical (singing). |
How do you format a screenplay title page?
- Title in capitals, centered about a third of the way down the page.
- “Written by” and the writer’s name centered below it.
- Contact information (email and phone, or representation) in the bottom left corner.
- No page number, images or logos.
How long should a screenplay be?
| Type | Typical page count |
|---|---|
| Feature film | 90–120 pages |
| One-hour TV drama | About 50–65 pages |
| Half-hour single-camera comedy | About 30–35 pages |
| Half-hour multi-camera sitcom | About 45–55 pages (double-spaced dialogue format) |
| Short film | A few pages to about 15 |
For comedy formats specifically, see our guides to writing a comedy script and writing a comedy sketch.
What software do screenwriters use?
Dedicated screenwriting software applies the format automatically as you type. Final Draft, founded in 1990, is the long-time industry standard and received a Primetime Emmy Engineering Award in 2013. Popular alternatives include WriterDuet, Fade In, Highland and Celtx. Word and Google Docs can work with templates or add-ons.
Common screenplay format mistakes
- Camera directions everywhere. Leave shots to the director unless a shot is essential to the story.
- Long action paragraphs. Break them up; white space keeps the read fast.
- Overusing parentheticals. Trust the actor and the dialogue.
- Novel-style description. Only write what can be seen or heard.
- Wrong font or margins. It signals inexperience before anyone reads a line.
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More writing guides from The LA Note
- How to write a comedy script
- How to write a comedy sketch
- How to write a stand-up comedy routine
- Careers in comedy: jobs, writers’ room roles and how to start
Frequently asked questions
What font is used for screenplays?
Screenplays use 12-point Courier (or a Courier variant like Courier Prime or Courier Final Draft). The fixed-width font is what makes one page roughly equal one minute of screen time.
How many pages should a screenplay be?
Most feature screenplays run about 90 to 120 pages. A one-hour TV drama is usually around 50 to 65 pages, and a half-hour single-camera comedy about 30 to 35.
What are the margins for a screenplay?
Typical settings are a 1.5-inch left margin (for binding) and 1-inch top, bottom and right margins. Dialogue sits in a narrower column, about 2.5 inches from the left edge of the page, and character names start around 3.7 inches.
What does CONT’D mean in a script?
CONT’D (continued) appears next to a character’s name when the same character keeps talking after an action line interrupts their dialogue.
Can I write a screenplay in Google Docs or Word?
Yes, with templates or add-ons, but dedicated software such as Final Draft, WriterDuet, Fade In or Highland handles the formatting automatically and is what most professionals use.
What is the difference between V.O. and O.S.?
V.O. (voice-over) is a voice not present in the scene, such as narration. O.S. (off-screen) is a character who is physically in the scene’s location but not visible on camera.
Sources
- Screenplay, Wikipedia (format, Courier 12 pt, one page per minute)
- Final Draft (software), Wikipedia (founded 1990, 2013 Emmy Engineering Award)
- Courier (typeface), Wikipedia
Image credits
- Featured image: Two pages of the screenplay for the French film La Traversée de Paris (1956), on display, by Jeliotb, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
- An example page in standard screenplay format (written in Latin), showing scene headings, action, character names and dialogue, by Secundus Zephyrus, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
- Courier Final Draft, a version of the Courier typeface made for screenplays, by Adrio, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Sarrah Sanchez is a home, arts, and crafts-minded creative who brings a maker’s eye to her writing. With several years in the online writing space, she covers entertainment and lifestyle for The LA Note, and she’s set on taking her craft as far as it will go.
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