IEEE Paper Format Guide
IEEE requires 10pt Times New Roman in a two-column layout with 0.75in margins on all sides. Citations use numeric style [1]. Abstracts are limited to 150 words. KERNIT applies all IEEE formatting rules automatically when you select the IEEE preset.
IEEE Formatting Specifications
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Font Family | Times New Roman |
| Font Size | 10pt |
| Columns | 2 |
| Margins | 0.75in all sides |
| Citation Style | IEEE numeric [1] |
| Line Spacing | Single |
| Abstract Word Limit | 150 |
How to Format for IEEE Using KERNIT
- Open KERNIT
Go to kernit.org/formatter. No account required for the first export.
- Choose your input
Paste Markdown, plain text, or upload a .docx file in the input panel.
- Select the IEEE preset
Click the IEEE card in the journal preset selector to apply IEEE formatting rules.
- Review the preview
KERNIT renders a live preview formatted to IEEE specs — two columns, 10pt Times New Roman, correct margins.
- Export
Click Export DOCX or Export LaTeX to download your publication-ready manuscript.
IEEE Formatting Requirements
Typography
IEEE papers use 10pt Times New Roman for body text. Section headings are bold with small caps. The paper title uses 24pt Times New Roman. Author names and affiliations use 9pt. Figure and table captions use 8pt. Footnotes use 8pt. KERNIT configures all of these automatically — you focus on your content.
Page Layout
IEEE uses a two-column layout with 0.75-inch margins on all sides. Each column is approximately 3.5 inches wide with a 0.25-inch gutter between them. Page size is US Letter (8.5×11 inches). The abstract and title span the full page width before the two-column body begins. According to the IEEE Editorial Style Manual, these specifications apply to most IEEE conference proceedings and journal articles.
Citations & References
IEEE uses numeric citations in square brackets [1]. References are numbered in the order they first appear in the text. The References section at the end of the paper lists all citations in numerical order. Unlike APA or MLA, IEEE references are not alphabetical. KERNIT's IEEE export formats references according to IEEE style guidelines.
Abstract
The IEEE abstract must be 150 words or fewer. It appears in a single column spanning the full page width, directly before the two-column body begins. No citations, abbreviations without definition, or references to figures are permitted in the abstract. Keywords follow the abstract in italic.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does IEEE require double spacing?
- No. IEEE conference and journal papers use single line spacing throughout. Double spacing is used in draft manuscripts but final IEEE submissions use single spacing with 10pt Times New Roman in a two-column layout with 0.75-inch margins on all sides.
- What font does IEEE use?
- IEEE requires 10pt Times New Roman for body text. Section headings use bold formatting with small caps. The paper title uses 24pt Times New Roman. Author affiliations use 9pt. Captions use 8pt. KERNIT applies all of these automatically.
- How many columns does an IEEE paper have?
- IEEE papers use a two-column layout with 0.75-inch margins on all sides. Each column is approximately 3.5 inches wide with a 0.25-inch gutter between columns. The abstract and title span the full page width above the two-column body.
- What citation style does IEEE use?
- IEEE uses numeric citations in square brackets, e.g., [1]. References are listed in the order they first appear in the text, not alphabetically. Each number in the text maps to a full citation entry in the References section at the end of the paper.
- Can I use KERNIT for IEEE LaTeX papers?
- Yes. KERNIT exports IEEE-formatted LaTeX files using the IEEEtran document class with correct margins, fonts, and two-column settings pre-configured. You can also export DOCX for direct submission or HTML for web preview. All three formats match IEEE specifications.