The quickest way to change font size in Gmail

You can change the font size for a single email you're writing by selecting the text and using the formatting toolbar. Open a new email or reply, highlight the words you want to resize, then click the font size dropdown (it shows a number like "12") in the toolbar above the compose box and pick a larger or smaller size. This change applies only to that email.

If you want to change the default font size for all emails you write going forward, you need to adjust your Gmail settings. Click the gear icon in the top right of Gmail, select "See all settings," go to the "General" tab, scroll down to "Default text style," and choose your preferred font size there. Every new email you compose will use that size unless you override it for a specific message.

Key Takeaways

  • Highlight text in an email you're composing, then use the font size dropdown in the toolbar to resize just that selection.
  • To set a default font size for all your outgoing emails, go to Settings > General > Default text style and choose your preferred size.
  • Font size changes you make in the compose box do not affect how emails appear to other people if they have their own font size settings enabled in their email client.
  • The font size dropdown shows numbers (usually 8 through 36 points); larger numbers make text bigger and smaller numbers make it harder to read.

Changing font size for a single email

When you're writing or replying to an email, the compose box opens with a toolbar above the text area. This toolbar contains formatting options including bold, italic, underline, and a dropdown that shows a number (the current font size). To resize text in that email only, first select the words you want to change by clicking and dragging across them or triple-clicking to select a paragraph.

Once the text is highlighted, click the font size dropdown. A menu appears showing sizes from 8 to 36 points. Click the size you want. The selected text changes when ready. You can explore different sizes to different parts of the same email — for example, make the subject line larger and the body text normal size. This change affects only that one email and only the text you selected.

Setting a default font size for all your emails

If you find yourself changing the font size in every email, it's faster to set a default. Click the gear icon in the top right corner of Gmail (next to your profile picture). A dropdown menu appears. Select "See all settings" at the bottom of that menu.

The Settings page opens on the "General" tab by default. Scroll down until you see a section called "Default text style." This section shows a preview box with sample text. Below the preview, you'll see a dropdown for font and a dropdown for size. Click the size dropdown and choose the size you prefer — this becomes the default for every new email you write. Click "Save changes" at the bottom of the page. From that point on, all new emails will start in your chosen size.

Changing your default does not affect emails you've already sent or received. It also does not change the size of emails other people send to you — those appear in whatever size the sender chose or in whatever size your own email client displays them.

Why the recipient might see a different font size than you set

When you send an email with a specific font size, the recipient's email client may override it. Many email programs (including Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail) let users set their own default display size for all incoming emails. If someone receives your 14-point email but has their Gmail set to display all text at 12 points, they'll see 12-point text, not what you sent.

This is a feature, not a bug — it means people with vision needs can read all their emails at a comfortable size without asking every sender to enlarge their text. If you're sending an email to someone who has difficulty reading small text, it's worth asking them what size works best for them, or you can mention in your email that they can adjust the display size on their end.

Font size options and what they look like

Gmail's font size dropdown offers 13 preset sizes, measured in points. A point is a unit of type measurement; 72 points equals one inch. The smallest size Gmail offers is 8 points, which is quite small and hard to read for most people. The largest is 36 points, which is very large and takes up significant space on the screen.

Most people write emails in 11 or 12 points, which is the standard size for printed documents and is readable on most screens without strain. If you're writing to someone older or someone who mentioned vision concerns, 14 or 16 points is a considerate choice. For headings or emphasis within an email, 18 or 20 points works well. Sizes below 10 points are generally reserved for disclaimers or fine print, though even then, many people find them too small.

Changing font size on mobile Gmail

The Gmail app on iPhone and Android does not expose font size controls in the same way the web version does. When you compose an email in the mobile app, you can use bold, italic, and underline, but there is no font size dropdown in the compose toolbar.

To change the default text size on mobile, open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture in the top right, select "Manage your Google Account," go to the "General" tab, scroll down to "Text size," and adjust the slider. This changes the size at which you read emails, not the size at which you send them. If you need to send emails in a specific font size from your phone, the easiest approach is to compose the email in the Gmail web version on your phone's browser instead of using the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the font size of emails I've already sent?

No. Once an email is sent, you cannot edit it or change its formatting. You can only change the font size of emails you're currently composing or have saved as drafts. If you need to resend a message in a different size, you'll need to write it again.

Does changing my default font size affect emails I receive?

No. Your default text style setting only controls the size of emails you write. Emails you receive appear in the size the sender chose, or in the size your email client displays them based on your own reading preferences. You can adjust how you read emails separately in your display settings.

What if the font size dropdown is missing from my compose box?

The formatting toolbar sometimes collapses on smaller screens or in certain browser windows. Look for a button that shows three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) or a formatting icon in the compose box. Click it to expand the full toolbar. If you're using an older browser, try updating it or switching to Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.

Can I use different fonts and sizes in the same email?

Yes. Select each section of text separately and explore different formatting to each. You can make the opening sentence 16 points, the body 12 points, and a closing line 14 points all in one email. Just highlight each section before changing its size.

Why does my email look different on my phone than on my computer?

Email clients display text differently depending on the device and the app or browser you're using. A 12-point font may look larger on a phone screen than on a desktop monitor because the phone screen is smaller. This is normal and not something you can control from the sender's side.