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\paper variables for widths and margins

Default values (before scaling) that are not listed here are defined in file ly/paper-defaults-init.ly.

paper-width ¶

The width of the page, unset by default. While paper-width has no effect on the automatic scaling of some horizontal dimensions, it does influence the line-width variable. If both paper-width and line-width are set, then left-margin and right-margin will also be updated. Also see check-consistency.

line-width ¶

When specified in a \paper block this defines the horizontal extent available for the staff lines in unindented systems. If left unspecified, the paper’s line-width is determined from (paper-width − left-margin − right-margin). If the paper’s line-width is specified, and both left-margin and right-margin are not, then the margins will be updated to center the systems on the page automatically. Also see check-consistency.

line-widths for individual scores can be specified in the scores’ \layout blocks. These values control the width of the lines produced on a score-by-score basis. If line-width is not specified for a score, it defaults to the paper’s line-width. Setting a score’s line-width has no effect on the paper margins. Staff lines, of a length determined by the score’s line-width, are left-aligned within the paper area defined by the paper’s line-width. If the score and paper line-widths are equal, the staff lines will extend exactly from the left margin to the right margin, but if the score’s line-width is greater than the paper’s line-width the staff lines will run over into the right margin.

left-margin ¶

The margin between the left edge of the page and the start of the staff lines in unindented systems. If the paper size is modified, this dimension’s default value is scaled accordingly. If left-margin is unset, and both line-width and right-margin are set, then left-margin is set to (paper-width − line-width − right-margin). If only line-width is set, then both margins are set to ((paper-width − line-width) / 2), and the systems are consequently centered on the page. Also see check-consistency.

right-margin ¶

The margin between the right edge of the page and the end of the staff lines in non-ragged systems. If the paper size is modified, this dimension’s default value is scaled accordingly. If right-margin is unset, and both line-width and left-margin are set, then right-margin is set to (paper-width − line-width − left-margin). If only line-width is set, then both margins are set to ((paper-width − line-width) / 2), and the systems are consequently centered on the page. Also see check-consistency.

check-consistency ¶

If this is true (the default value), print a warning if left-margin, line-width, and right-margin do not exactly add up to paper-width, and replace each of these (except paper-width) with their default values (scaled to the paper size if necessary). If set to #f, ignore any inconsistencies and allow systems to run off the edge of the page.

ragged-right ¶

If set to #t, systems will not fill the line width. Instead, systems end at their natural horizontal length. Default: #t for scores with only one system, and #f for scores with two or more systems. This variable can also be set in a \layout block.

ragged-last ¶

If set to #t, the last system in the score will not fill the line width. Instead the last system ends at its natural horizontal length. Default: #f. This variable can also be set in a \layout block.

See also

Notation Reference: Automatic scaling to paper size.

Installed Files: ly/paper-defaults-init.ly.

Known issues and warnings

Explicitly defined paper sizes will override any user-defined left or right margin settings.