Where to find font size controls in Outlook

Font size in Outlook lives in two places depending on what you are changing. If you want to adjust the size of text you are reading — emails in your inbox, message previews, folder names — that is one set of controls. If you want to change the size of text you are writing in a new email, that is a different one.

For reading text, the quickest route is the zoom slider in the bottom right corner of your Outlook window. It looks like a magnifying glass with a plus and minus sign. Moving it left makes everything smaller; moving it right makes everything larger. This affects only what you see on your screen, not how the email appears to anyone you send it to.

For writing text, the font size dropdown sits in the toolbar at the top of the compose window. It usually shows a number like "11" or "12" — that is the size in points. Click the dropdown arrow next to it to pick a different size before you start typing, or select text you have already written and change its size after the fact.

Key Takeaways

  • The zoom slider in the bottom right corner of Outlook makes everything on your screen larger or smaller without changing how emails look to others.
  • The font size dropdown in the compose toolbar controls only the text you are writing, and you can change it before or after you type.
  • Outlook on the web (Outlook.com) has a separate zoom control in your browser settings, not in Outlook itself.
  • Changing font size in one email does not change the default size for future emails you write.

Adjusting zoom for everything you see on screen

The zoom slider is the easiest way to make Outlook easier to read if you find the default size too small or too large. Look at the very bottom right of your Outlook window — you will see a minus sign, a slider, and a plus sign. Click the plus sign to zoom in (make text bigger) or the minus sign to zoom out (make text smaller).

Each click usually changes the zoom by 10 percent. You can also click directly on the percentage number next to the slider to open a menu with preset options like 75%, 100%, 125%, and 150%. This zoom setting stays the same the next time you open Outlook, so you only have to set it once.

One important note: this zoom only changes what you see on your computer. It does not change how your emails look to the people who receive them. If you send an email with 14-point font and then zoom your screen to 150%, the recipient still sees 14-point font on their end.

Changing font size when you write an email

When you open a new email to compose, look at the toolbar above the blank message area. You will see a dropdown that shows a number — usually "11" or "12". That number is the font size in points. Click the dropdown arrow next to it to see options like 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, and so on.

If you have not started typing yet, pick your size and then start writing. Everything you type will use that size. If you have already written text and want to change its size, highlight the text first (click and drag to select it), then click the font size dropdown and pick a new size. Only the selected text will change.

You can also make text bold, italic, or underlined using the buttons next to the font size dropdown. These formatting tools work the same way — pick the style before you type, or select existing text and explore the style to it.

Different font size controls in Outlook on the web

If you use Outlook through a web browser (Outlook.com or Outlook on the web through your workplace), the zoom controls work differently. The font size dropdown in the compose toolbar works the same way — click it to change the size of text you are writing. But there is no zoom slider in the bottom right corner of Outlook itself.

Instead, use your browser's zoom controls. In most browsers, you can hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and press the plus key to zoom in, or the minus key to zoom out. You can also look for a menu button (usually three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of your browser and find a zoom option there. This browser zoom affects everything on the page, including Outlook.

Setting a default font size for new emails

Outlook does not have a built-in way to change the default font size for every new email you write. Each time you open a compose window, it starts with whatever size you last used. If you always want to write in 14-point font instead of 12-point, you have to change it each time.

One workaround is to create a signature with your preferred font size. Go to File > Options > Mail > Signatures, create a new signature, and format the text to your preferred size. Then set that signature to appear in every new email. When you start composing, the signature will be in your chosen size, and you can type above it in the same size.

Another option is to change your default font through Outlook's settings. Go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts. Under "New Mail Messages", click "Font" and pick your preferred size. This sets the default for new emails, though some recipients' email programs may override this setting when they read your message.

Troubleshooting when font size changes do not stick

If you change the font size in an email but it reverts to the original size when you send it or open it later, the issue is usually one of two things. First, check whether you are using plain text or HTML format. Outlook's formatting options (including font size) only work in HTML format. If your email is set to plain text, font changes will not save.

To check this, open a compose window and look at the Format menu at the top. If it says "Plain Text", click it and switch to "HTML". Then try changing the font size again. The second common issue is that your recipient's email program is overriding your formatting. You can control the size on your end, but their email client may display it differently based on their own settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing font size in Outlook affect how others see my emails?

Only if you change the font size in the compose toolbar before sending. The zoom slider only changes what you see on your screen. If you write an email in 14-point font and send it, the recipient sees 14-point font — unless their email program overrides it with their own display settings.

Can I make the folder list and inbox text bigger without zooming everything?

Not without zooming. The zoom slider affects your entire Outlook window. If you only want to make the email text bigger and leave the folder list alone, you would need to use your operating system's accessibility settings, which is a more complex change. The zoom slider is the fastest option.

Why does my font size change back to 12 point every time I write a new email?

Outlook resets to a default size for each new email. You can change this by setting a default font through File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts, or by creating a signature in your preferred size and explore it to all new emails.

What if the font size dropdown is grayed out and I cannot click it?

This usually means your email is in plain text format, which does not support font formatting. Click the Format menu in the compose window and switch to HTML. Then the font size dropdown will become active and you can use it.

Does zoom affect how my emails print?

Yes. If you zoom to 150% and then print an email, it will print at 150% of its normal size. To print at the original size, reset your zoom to 100% before printing, or use your printer settings to scale the page down.