Change font size in Outlook through the Format menu or ribbon

You can change the font size for a single email you are writing, or set a default size that Outlook uses for all new messages. The method depends on whether you use Outlook on Windows, Mac, or the web version, and whether you want to change just one message or your default settings.

The fastest way for a single email is to select the text you want to resize, then use the font size dropdown in the ribbon (Windows and Mac) or the formatting toolbar (web). For a permanent change to how all your emails look, you adjust the default font in Outlook's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Select text in a draft email and use the font size dropdown in the ribbon to resize just that message.
  • Windows Outlook stores the font size dropdown in the Home tab of the ribbon, labeled with a number like "11" or "12".
  • To change your default font size for all new emails, go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts on Windows, or Outlook > Preferences > Fonts on Mac.
  • Outlook on the web uses a formatting toolbar above the compose box with a font size icon that looks like "A" with an up or down arrow.
  • Changing your default font size does not affect emails you have already sent or received.

Resize text in a single Outlook email on Windows

Open a new email or reply to an existing one. Click in the message body to place your cursor there. If you want to change the size of text that already exists, select it by clicking and dragging across the words, or triple-click to select an entire paragraph.

Look at the Home tab in the ribbon at the top of the window. You will see a box with a number in it — usually "11" or "12" — next to a small dropdown arrow. This is the font size selector. Click the dropdown arrow and choose a larger or smaller size from the list. Common sizes are 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 points. The text you selected will change when ready.

If you want a size not shown in the dropdown, you can type a custom number directly into the box. Click in the box, clear the current number, type the size you want (between 1 and 127), and press Enter.

Resize text in Outlook on Mac

Create a new email or open a reply. Select the text you want to resize by clicking and dragging, or triple-click a paragraph. The formatting toolbar appears above the compose area with several icons.

Look for the font size control, which shows a number with a dropdown arrow. Click the arrow to see size options from 8 to 72 points. Choose the size you want. If the toolbar is not visible, click the paintbrush icon or go to Format > Text to show it.

Resize text in Outlook on the web

Sign in to Outlook.com or your organization's Outlook on the web. Click Compose to start a new email. In the message body, select the text you want to resize by clicking and dragging.

The formatting toolbar appears above the compose box. Look for an icon that shows "A" with a small arrow pointing up or down next to it. Click that arrow to see font size options. Choose the size you want from the dropdown. The text changes when ready.

Set a default font size for all new emails on Windows

Click File in the top left corner of Outlook. Select Options from the left sidebar. In the Outlook Options window, click Mail on the left side. Scroll down and click Stationery and Fonts.

A new window opens with tabs at the top. Click the Personal Stationery tab. Under "New mail messages", you will see a Font button. Click it to open the font dialog. Choose your font size from the Size dropdown, then click OK twice to save your changes. From now on, every new email you compose will use that size.

This change does not affect replies or forwarded messages unless you also click the Font button under "Replying or forwarding messages" and set the same size there.

Set a default font size for all new emails on Mac

Click Outlook in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Preferences. In the Preferences window, click Fonts. You will see options for "Compose font" and other text settings.

Click the dropdown next to "Compose font" and select the size you want. Click the red close button to save and exit Preferences. All new emails you write will now use that font size by default.

Change font size for received emails you are reading

If you want to make received emails easier to read without changing your compose settings, you can zoom in or out on the message itself. On Windows, use Ctrl and the plus key to zoom in, or Ctrl and the minus key to zoom out. On Mac, use Command and the plus or minus key.

This zoom only affects how you see that email on your screen — it does not change the actual font size of the message or how it appears to other people. The zoom resets when you open a different email.

For a permanent change to how you read all emails, go to File > Options > Advanced on Windows and scroll to Display. Look for "Zoom" and set a default percentage. On Mac, this setting is in Outlook > Preferences > General.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my font size change back after I close Outlook?

If you changed the size for a single email, that change only applies to that message. When you write a new email, Outlook returns to your default font size. To keep a new size for all emails, you must change the default in Outlook's settings, not just in one message.

Can I set different font sizes for different types of emails?

Outlook does not have a built-in way to use different default sizes for different contacts or folders. You can set one default size for new messages and a different one for replies, but all new emails will use the same size. For individual emails, you can always select the text and resize it manually.

What if the font size dropdown is not showing in my ribbon?

The ribbon may be minimized or the Home tab may not be active. Click the Home tab at the top of the window to make sure it is selected. If you still do not see the font size box, right-click the ribbon and select "Customize the Ribbon" to add the font size control back.

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

No. Changing your default font size only affects new emails you write from that point forward. Emails you have already sent or received keep their original font size.

Can I make the font size larger for people with vision difficulties?

Yes. You can set a larger default font size in your Outlook settings, or you can use your operating system's zoom or magnification tools. On Windows, use Ease of Access settings. On Mac, use System Preferences > Accessibility > Display to increase text size across your computer.