Set your default font before you write any message
Outlook lets you pick a font that appears every time you start a new email, so you do not have to change it manually each time. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Outlook on Windows, Mac, or the web version, but the principle is the same: you change the default in settings before you compose a message.
The font you set becomes the baseline for all new emails you write. If you switch fonts mid-message, Outlook remembers that choice only for that one email — the next new message goes back to your default. This makes setting a default worth doing if you have a font preference or if your workplace requires a specific typeface.
Key Takeaways
- In Outlook on Windows, open File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts, then choose your font under "New Mail Messages".
- On Mac, go to Outlook > Preferences > Composing, select your font, and click Default to explore it to all new messages.
- In Outlook on the web, click Settings > Mail > Compose and Reply, then pick your font from the dropdown under "Default font".
- Your default font applies only to new messages you write, not to emails you receive or forward.
- If you change your default font later, it affects only messages you write after the change — earlier emails keep their original formatting.
Setting a default font in Outlook on 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 on the left side, then scroll down and click Stationery and Fonts.
In the Stationery and Fonts window, you will see a section called "New Mail Messages". Click the Font button next to it. A font picker will open showing all available fonts on your computer. Select the font you want, choose your size (most people use 11 or 12 point), and click OK. Then click OK again to close the Stationery and Fonts window, and OK once more to close Outlook Options.
The next time you create a new email, it will open in your chosen font. If you ever want to change it again, follow the same steps.
Setting a default font in Outlook on Mac
Open Outlook and click Outlook in the menu bar at the very top of your screen. Select Preferences from the dropdown. In the Preferences window, find and click Composing.
In the Composing preferences, you will see a section for font settings. Click the dropdown next to "Font" and choose the typeface you want. Below that, click the button labeled Default to confirm this as your default font for all new messages. Close the Preferences window.
New emails you write will now use this font automatically. The Mac version of Outlook stores this setting separately from Windows, so if you use both, you may need to set a default on each one.
Setting a default font in Outlook on the web
Log into Outlook on the web in your browser. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select Settings from the menu. Click Mail in the left sidebar, then find and click Compose and Reply.
Scroll down to the section labeled "Default font". Click the dropdown menu and select the font you prefer. Outlook on the web will save this choice automatically — you do not need to click a separate Save button. Close the Settings tab and return to your inbox.
The next message you compose will use your new default font. If you switch to a different browser or computer, you will need to set the default again, because the web version stores settings per browser, not per device.
What happens when you change your default font
Changing your default font affects only new messages you write from that point forward. Any email you already sent keeps the font it had when you sent it — changing your default does not reformat old messages. Similarly, emails you receive from others are not affected by your default font setting; they display in whatever font the sender chose.
If you forward or reply to an existing message, Outlook uses your new default font for the text you add, but the original message in the thread keeps its original formatting. This can sometimes create a message with mixed fonts, which is normal and expected.
Choosing a font that works across devices
Some fonts are installed on Windows but not on Mac, and vice versa. If you send an email in a font that the recipient does not have installed, their email client will substitute a similar font automatically — usually Arial or Times New Roman. The message will still be readable, but it may not look exactly as you intended.
If you want your emails to look the same on every device and for every recipient, stick with common fonts that come pre-installed on all systems: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Verdana, or Georgia. These fonts are safe choices for professional emails. If you prefer a more distinctive font for personal messages, pick one you like — the substitution process is invisible to you, and most recipients will not notice the difference.
Resetting your default font to Outlook's original setting
If you want to go back to Outlook's built-in default font (usually Calibri on Windows and Outlook on Mac), follow the same steps you used to set a custom font, but choose Calibri or the system default from the font list instead. There is no "Reset to Default" button — you straightforward pick the font you want and confirm it.
On Windows, if you are not sure what Outlook's original default was, Calibri 11-point is the standard. On Mac, the original default is typically Outlook 11-point. Selecting either of these will restore the appearance most Outlook users see.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my default font setting affect emails I receive?
No. Your default font applies only to messages you write. Emails you receive display in whatever font the sender chose, and your default setting does not change that. Your inbox will show a mix of fonts depending on what each sender used.
Can I set different default fonts for different email accounts?
On Windows and Mac, Outlook uses one default font for all accounts. If you need different fonts for different accounts, you will have to change your default each time you switch accounts, or manually select a font for each message. The web version of Outlook also uses one default per browser.
What if my company requires a specific font?
Set that font as your default following the steps for your version of Outlook. If your company uses a custom font that is not installed on your computer, ask your IT department for the font file. Once installed, it will appear in Outlook's font list and you can set it as your default.
Why does my font look different on my phone than on my computer?
Outlook on mobile devices (iPhone, Android) does not always support the same fonts as the desktop version. When you view an email on your phone, it may substitute a different font. This is normal and does not affect how the email looks on a computer.
Can I set a default font size as well as a font?
Yes. When you open the font picker in Windows or Mac, you can choose both the typeface and the size before you click OK. On the web, you can set the font but not the size in the default settings — you would need to change size manually for each message.