Change font size in Gmail's compose window

When you write an email in Gmail, you can make text larger or smaller before you send it. Open Gmail, click the Compose button, and start typing or paste text into the message box. Highlight the text you want to resize by clicking and dragging across it.

Look for the formatting toolbar above the text box. You'll see a button that looks like an "A" with up and down arrows next to it — this is the font size control. Click it and choose from the dropdown menu: Small, Normal, Large, or Extra Large. The change applies only to the text you selected, so you can mix sizes in a single email if you want.

If you don't see the formatting toolbar, click the three dots (more options) at the bottom left of the compose window and select Formatting options. This opens the full toolbar with font size, color, bold, italic, and other text controls.

Key Takeaways

  • Highlight text in a Gmail draft, then click the font size button (A with arrows) in the toolbar to choose Small, Normal, Large, or Extra Large.
  • Font size changes explore only to selected text, so different parts of one email can have different sizes.
  • If the toolbar is hidden, click the three dots at the bottom of the compose window and select Formatting options to reveal it.
  • Font size in Gmail's compose window does not affect how large the text appears in the recipient's inbox — their email client controls that.
  • You cannot change the default font size for all your outgoing emails; you set the size for each message individually.

Why recipients might see a different size than you set

When you send an email with a specific font size, the recipient's email client decides how to display it. If they use Gmail, they see roughly what you sent. If they use Outlook, Apple Mail, or another email program, their settings may override yours. Some email clients ignore font size tags entirely and show everything at their default size.

This is why it's better to use font size for emphasis within an email you're writing, not as a way to may provide readability for everyone who receives it. A larger font size helps you highlight important information, but don't rely on it being the final size the reader sees.

Changing font size in Gmail's reading view

If you want to make emails you receive larger or smaller, Gmail offers a separate control. Open any email and look at the top right corner. Click the three dots menu and select Print — this opens a print preview where you can use your browser's zoom controls (usually Ctrl and + or Cmd and + on Mac) to enlarge the text.

Alternatively, use your browser's built-in zoom feature to enlarge the entire Gmail interface. Press Ctrl and + (or Cmd and + on Mac) to zoom in, or Ctrl and - to zoom out. This affects all text in Gmail, not just one email. The zoom level stays in place until you change it again.

Using Gmail's default font settings

Gmail lets you set a default font for emails you compose, but not a default size. Go to Gmail settings by clicking the gear icon in the top right, then select See all settings. Click the Compose and reply tab. Under "Default text style," you can choose a font (like Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier New), but the size option is not available here.

This means every time you start a new email, the text begins at Normal size. If you want larger text, you must select it and resize it after typing. Some users work around this by typing in a text editor first, then pasting into Gmail — the pasted text keeps whatever size it had in the original document.

Font size in Gmail's mobile app

The Gmail app for iPhone and Android does not include a font size control in the compose screen. When you write an email on mobile, you can use bold, italic, and other basic formatting, but resizing text is not an option. If you need to send an email with different font sizes, compose it on a computer instead.

You can still change the size of text you read in Gmail on mobile. Pinch your screen to zoom in and out, which enlarges or shrinks the entire email. This is a browser-level zoom, not a Gmail-specific setting, so it affects everything on your phone's screen.

Troubleshooting font size that won't change

If the font size button is grayed out or not responding, make sure you've actually selected text. Click and drag across the words you want to resize — the selection should appear highlighted in blue. If nothing is highlighted, the button stays inactive.

If the button is active but clicking it does nothing, try refreshing the page. Gmail sometimes loads incompletely, especially if your internet connection is slow. Close the compose window without saving, then click Compose again and try resizing. If the problem continues, try a different browser or clear your browser's cache and cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the entire Gmail interface larger without zooming?

No, Gmail doesn't have a built-in setting to enlarge the interface itself. Use your browser's zoom feature (Ctrl and + on Windows, Cmd and + on Mac) to enlarge everything, or adjust your operating system's display settings to increase text size across all programs.

Does font size in Gmail work the same way in other email clients?

No. Outlook, Apple Mail, and other email programs have different formatting toolbars and may handle font size differently. Some clients ignore size tags when displaying received emails. If you need consistent formatting across different email programs, stick to standard sizes and test by sending yourself emails.

What happens to font size when I forward or reply to an email?

When you reply or forward, Gmail includes the original message in its original size. Any new text you type starts at Normal size. You can select and resize your new text, but the quoted original message stays as it was.

Can I set a keyboard shortcut to change font size quickly?

Gmail doesn't offer keyboard shortcuts for font size. You must use the toolbar button. Some browsers and operating systems have accessibility shortcuts to zoom the entire page, which is the closest alternative.

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

Email clients on phones and computers display text differently based on screen size and the app's design. A font size you set on desktop may appear smaller on a phone because the phone's screen is narrower. This is normal and not something you can control from Gmail's compose window.