Screenplay Format: The Complete Industry Guide [2025]
· 4 min read
Screenplay format is non-negotiable. A script with brilliant dialogue but wrong margins, the wrong font, or misaligned character names will be rejected — not because the story is bad, but because it looks unprofessional. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Why Format Matters
Screenplay format exists for a reason: it's the universal language of film production.
- 1 page = 1 minute of screen time — directors and producers plan schedules from page count
- Universal readability — everyone on set reads the same format
- Professional credibility — proper format signals you know the industry
- Software compatibility — standard format works across all screenwriting tools
The Basic Page Setup
| Element | Specification |
|---|---|
| Font | Courier New, 12pt |
| Left margin | 1.5 inches |
| Right margin | 1 inch |
| Top margin | 1 inch |
| Bottom margin | 1 inch |
| Page size | US Letter (8.5 × 11") |
Why Courier New? It's a monospace font — every character occupies the same width. This makes the 1 page = 1 minute calculation reliable and consistent.
The Six Format Elements
1. Scene Heading (Slug Line)
Every new scene begins with a slug line. Written in ALL CAPS. Flush left:
INT. COFFEE SHOP — MORNING
EXT. HIGHWAY — NIGHT
INT./EXT. MOVING BUS — DAY
Structure: - INT. = Interior | EXT. = Exterior | INT./EXT. = Both - Location name (be specific but concise) - Time of day: DAY, NIGHT, DAWN, DUSK, CONTINUOUS, LATER
Rule: Keep slug lines short. "INT. SPACIOUS MODERN OPEN-PLAN OFFICE — EARLY MORNING" is wrong. "INT. OFFICE — MORNING" is right.
2. Action Lines
Immediately after the slug line. Describes what we see and hear:
Detective Torres enters the diner. She scans the
room — booths, counter, no one suspicious. She
takes a corner seat with a view of the door.
Rules: - Present tense only - Only what can be seen or heard (no thoughts, no backstory) - Max 3–4 sentences per paragraph - First appearance of a character: name in ALL CAPS
DETECTIVE TORRES (40s, sharp eyes, never quite
off-duty) slides into the corner booth.
3. Character Name
Centered on the page. ALL CAPS. Appears above every line of dialogue:
TORRES
Special notations:
| Notation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TORRES (V.O.) | Voice-over — character narrates, not present in scene |
| TORRES (O.S.) | Off-screen — character not visible but in the scene space |
| TORRES (CONT'D) | Continuing — dialogue continues after interrupted action |
4. Dialogue
Indented below the character name. Centered on the page:
TORRES
Two coffees, black. And whatever
pie is left.
Dialogue rules: - Keep it natural and conversational - Every character sounds different - Avoid on-the-nose exposition ("As you know, Bob...") - Each line earns its place
5. Parenthetical
A brief delivery note, between character name and dialogue:
TORRES
(not looking up from her notebook)
I said two.
Use parentheticals sparingly: - ✅ When tone is genuinely ambiguous from text - ✅ To clarify who the character addresses - ❌ On every line of dialogue - ❌ When the emotion is already clear
6. Transitions
Flush right, ALL CAPS:
CUT TO:
FADE OUT.
SMASH CUT TO:
FADE IN:
Modern practice: Most transitions are omitted in contemporary spec scripts. CUT TO: is assumed between scenes. Use transitions only when the transition itself carries meaning (a SMASH CUT to create shock, a FADE OUT to signal time passing).
Full Scene Example
INT. ROADSIDE DINER — NIGHT
Half the booths empty. A jukebox hums something
from the seventies. Rain ticks against the windows.
DETECTIVE TORRES (40s, still in her work clothes)
sits at the corner booth. Badge clipped to her belt.
Coffee untouched.
A WAITER (60s, seen it all twice) refills her cup
without being asked.
WAITER
Still waiting for someone?
TORRES
Still hoping I'm wrong.
The waiter moves on. Torres stares at the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY — NIGHT
A single pair of headlights on a wet road. Moving fast.
Common Formatting Mistakes
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Wrong font (Arial, Times New Roman) | Use Courier New, 12pt only |
| Describing feelings in action lines | Show behavior, not internal states |
| Paragraphs longer than 4 sentences | Break into shorter blocks |
| Parenthetical on every dialogue line | Use only when necessary |
| Slug lines with unnecessary detail | Keep them short and clean |
| Scene numbers in spec scripts | Only in shooting scripts |
| Passive voice in action lines | Active, present tense only |
Format by Genre Convention
While the core format never changes, genre conventions affect tone and pacing:
Thriller/Horror — Short, punchy action lines. White space creates tension.
Drama — Longer, more atmospheric action lines. Silence is written.
Comedy — Action lines can have a comic voice. Timing matters on the page.
Action — Very short lines. One action per line. Rapid cuts.
Software That Handles Format Automatically
Manual formatting in Microsoft Word is error-prone and slow. Dedicated screenwriting software handles everything:
Kashna Script — Browser-based, 40+ languages, auto-formatting. Open and write. No installation.
Final Draft — Desktop industry standard. Widely accepted by studios.
Celtx — Web-based, production planning tools.
Fade In — One-time purchase, professional grade.
WriterDuet — Real-time collaboration.
Quick Reference Card
SCENE HEADING: INT./EXT. LOCATION — TIME [ALL CAPS, flush left]
ACTION LINE: Describes scene and action [Normal, flush left]
CHARACTER NAME: CHARACTER NAME [ALL CAPS, centered-ish]
DIALOGUE: What the character says [Indented, centered block]
PARENTHETICAL: (how they say it) [Indented, below name]
TRANSITION: CUT TO: [ALL CAPS, flush right]
Kashna Script formats your screenplay while you write: scene headings, characters, dialogue, transitions, all in industry format. No menus. Every tool one key away.
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