The quickest way to change your default font

Open Outlook and go to File > Options > Mail. On the left side, click Stationery and Fonts. Under the Compose Messages section, click the Fonts button. Choose your font, size, and color, then click OK twice to save. Every new email you write will now use that font by default.

This method works the same way in Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Outlook for Microsoft 365 on Windows. If you use Outlook on Mac or the web version, the steps are slightly different — those are covered in their own sections below.

Key Takeaways

  • The default font setting is in File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts on Windows Outlook.
  • You can set separate fonts for composing new messages and for replying to or forwarding existing messages.
  • Outlook on Mac uses the Format menu instead of File > Options, and web Outlook has a simpler settings panel.
  • Your font choice applies only to new messages you write — it does not change how incoming emails look.
  • If you use multiple email accounts in Outlook, you can set a different default font for each account.

Setting a separate font for replies and forwards

When you change your default font in Stationery and Fonts, that change applies to new messages only. If you want a different font when you reply to or forward an email, you can set that separately.

In the same Stationery and Fonts window, you will see two sections: Compose Messages and Replying or Forwarding Messages. Click the Fonts button under Replying or Forwarding Messages to choose a different font, size, and color for those actions. This is useful if you want a more formal font for new messages but prefer something easier to read when you are continuing a conversation.

How to change the default font in Outlook on Mac

On Mac, the path is different. Open Outlook, then go to Outlook (in the top menu bar) > Preferences. Click Composing, then Fonts. Choose your font and size, then close the window. Your changes save automatically.

Mac Outlook does not offer separate font settings for replies and forwards the way Windows Outlook does. The font you set here applies to all outgoing messages, whether they are new, replies, or forwards.

Changing the font in Outlook on the web

Outlook on the web (the version you access through a browser) has a simpler approach. Click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select View all Outlook settings. Go to Mail > Compose and reply. Under Default font, choose your font from the dropdown menu. You can also set the size and color here. Click Save at the bottom of the page.

The web version does not let you set different fonts for new messages versus replies. Whatever you choose applies to all outgoing email.

Setting different fonts for different email accounts

If you have multiple email accounts set up in Outlook, you can assign a different default font to each one. Go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts. At the top of the window, you will see a dropdown menu that says Choose Font. Click it and select the account you want to customize. Then set the font, size, and color for that account. Repeat for each account.

This is helpful if you use one account for work and another for personal email, and you want each to have its own look.

Why your font choice might not appear in received emails

When you send an email with your chosen font, the recipient sees it in that font only if their email client supports it. Some fonts are web-safe — meaning they exist on almost every computer — while others are less common. If you choose a font that the recipient does not have installed, their email client will substitute a similar font automatically.

Common web-safe fonts that work reliably across most email clients include Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, and Georgia. If you choose a decorative or specialty font, there is a chance it will look different when someone else reads your message. Outlook does not warn you about this, so if consistency matters, stick with standard fonts.

Resetting your font to Outlook's default

If you want to go back to Outlook's original default font (usually Calibri, 11 point, in black), return to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts. Click the Fonts button under Compose Messages, then click Reset at the bottom of the dialog. Click OK twice.

On Mac, go to Outlook > Preferences > Composing > Fonts, then click Reset to Default. In Outlook on the web, return to the font dropdown and select Default Font.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your font setting only applies to new messages you compose going forward. Emails you have already sent will not change, and neither will emails in your inbox.

Can I use a custom font that is not in the dropdown menu?

Only if that font is installed on your computer. Outlook pulls its font list from the fonts available in Windows or Mac. If you install a new font on your system, it will appear in Outlook's font menu the next time you restart the process.

What happens if I send an email in a font the recipient does not have?

Their email client will substitute a similar font automatically. The message will still be readable, but it may not look exactly as you intended. This is why web-safe fonts like Arial and Times New Roman are safer choices if appearance matters.

Can I set a default font size separately from the font itself?

Yes. In the Stationery and Fonts window, the font size dropdown is right next to the font name. You can choose any size from 8 to 72 points. The size you set here becomes your default for all new messages.

Does Outlook remember my font choice if I reinstall the process?

Usually yes, because your settings are tied to your Microsoft account and stored in the cloud. However, if you uninstall Outlook completely and delete your local profile, you may need to reset your font preferences after reinstalling.