Where to find the font settings in Outlook

The steps to change your default font depend on which version of Outlook you use. Microsoft Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, and Outlook on the web (the browser version) all have different paths to the same setting. The most common route is through the File menu, then Options, then Mail, then Stationery and Fonts — but the exact wording and location shifts between versions.

Before you start, know that changing your default font affects only new messages you write going forward. It does not change fonts in messages you have already sent or received. If you want to change how received emails look on your screen, that is a separate display setting.

Key Takeaways

  • In Outlook for Windows, go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts, then click Fonts to set your default for new messages.
  • In Outlook for Mac, use Outlook > Preferences > Composing Messages > Fonts to change what font appears when you start a new email.
  • In Outlook on the web, click the Settings gear icon, then Mail > Compose and reply, then use the font dropdown in the compose window itself.
  • Your font choice applies only to messages you write; it does not affect how you see emails sent to you by others.
  • If your organisation uses Outlook through Microsoft 365, some font options may be locked by your IT department.

Changing the default font in Outlook for Windows

Open Outlook and click File in the top left corner. From the menu that appears, select Options. In the Outlook Options window, click Mail in the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see the section called Composing Messages, then look for the button labeled Stationery and Fonts.

Click Stationery and Fonts. A new window opens with three tabs: Personal Stationery, New Mail Message, and Replying or Forwarding. Click the New Mail Message tab. You will see a Font button. Click it, and a standard font picker appears. Choose your font, size, color, and style, then click OK twice to return to Outlook. Your new default is now active.

If you also want to change the font for replies and forwarded messages, go back to the Replying or Forwarding tab in the same window and repeat the process. Many people use the same font for both, but Outlook lets you set them separately.

Changing the default font in Outlook for Mac

Click Outlook in the menu bar at the top of your screen, then select Preferences. A Preferences window opens. Look for Composing Messages and click it. You will see a Fonts section with options for New Messages, Quoted Text, and Signature.

Click the dropdown next to New Messages to see available fonts. Select the one you want. You can also set the font size and color in the same area. If you want a different font for quoted text (the text from an email you are replying to), adjust that separately. Click the red close button when you are done — Outlook for Mac saves changes automatically.

Changing the default font in Outlook on the web

Log into Outlook on the web in your browser. Click the Settings gear icon in the top right corner, then select Mail from the menu. Scroll down to Compose and reply and click it. You will see a dropdown for Default font. Click it and choose your font from the list.

Outlook on the web offers fewer font choices than the desktop versions, and you cannot change the size or color in the settings. If you need more control, you can change the font each time you write a message by using the font dropdown in the compose window itself — that option appears above the message body when you click New Message.

What to do if your font options are limited or locked

If you use Outlook through your workplace or school, your IT department may have restricted which fonts you can use or prevented you from changing the default altogether. This is common in organisations that want all internal emails to look consistent. If you cannot find the font settings or the buttons are greyed out, contact your IT support team — they can tell you whether the restriction is intentional and whether they can unlock it for you.

Some organisations also set a default font through group policy, which overrides your personal choice. In those cases, your setting may appear to change but then revert when you restart Outlook. Again, your IT team is the right place to ask.

Why your font choice might not stick

If you change your default font but new messages still appear in the old font, the most common cause is that you changed the setting in the wrong tab. Make sure you edited the New Mail Message tab, not the Replying or Forwarding tab. In Outlook for Mac, confirm you clicked the right option in Composing Messages.

Another reason is that your email signature may have its own font embedded. If your signature uses a different font, it will appear in that font even if you set a different default for the message body. To fix this, edit your signature and change its font to match your new default, or leave the signature as is and accept that it will look different.

If you use a template or stationery, that template may override your default font choice. Disable the template or edit it to use your preferred font.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different default fonts for different email accounts?

In Outlook for Windows and Mac, you set one default font for all accounts. If you need different fonts for different accounts, you will have to change the setting manually each time you switch accounts, or use a template or signature with a specific font for each account.

Does changing my default font affect emails I have already sent?

No. Changing your default font only affects new messages you write from that point forward. Emails you have already sent keep the font they were sent in. Emails you receive are displayed in the font the sender chose, not your default.

What if I want to use a font that is not in the dropdown list?

The fonts available in Outlook are limited to those installed on your computer. If you want to use a font that does not appear, you need to install it on your system first. After installation, restart Outlook and the font should appear in the dropdown.

Will my recipients see the email in the font I chose?

Usually yes, but not always. If the recipient does not have that font installed on their computer, their email client will substitute a similar font. Stick to common fonts like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana if you want to be sure your message looks the same on the other end.

Can I change the font size at the same time as the font itself?

Yes. In Outlook for Windows and Mac, the font picker lets you set size, color, and style all at once. In Outlook on the web, you can only set the font name in the default settings, but you can change the size each time you compose a message using the toolbar above the message body.