Facebook's built-in font options let you change how your text looks in posts and comments
Facebook does not have a universal font-changing setting that affects everything you see. Instead, you can change the style of text you write in individual posts and comments using Facebook's text formatting tools. These tools let you make text bold, italic, strikethrough, or monospaced (a fixed-width font used for code). You can also use special Unicode fonts in your posts, which appear as different lettering to people viewing your profile.
The method you use depends on whether you are writing a post on your timeline, commenting on someone else's post, or messaging someone privately. Desktop and mobile versions work slightly differently, though the core options are the same.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook's text formatting toolbar appears when you click into the post box and includes buttons for bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospaced text.
- On mobile, you may need to tap the formatting icon (usually three dots or lines) to see bold, italic, and other style options.
- Unicode font generators let you create stylized text outside Facebook and paste it into posts, though Facebook may not display all decorative fonts the same way on every device.
- Text formatting in comments works the same way as posts, but private messages have more limited formatting options depending on your device.
Using Facebook's built-in text formatting on desktop
When you click into the "What's on your mind?" box to write a post, a formatting toolbar appears above the text field. This toolbar contains buttons for bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospaced text. Click the button that matches the style you want, then type your text. The text will appear in that style both while you are writing and after you publish the post.
You can also highlight text you have already typed and then click a formatting button to explore the style retroactively. If you want to remove formatting, select the text again and click the same button a second time to toggle it off.
The monospaced option displays text in a fixed-width font that looks like typewriter text. This is useful if you are sharing code, a list with aligned columns, or text where spacing matters visually.
Changing text style on Facebook mobile
On the Facebook mobile app, the text formatting options are sometimes hidden behind a menu. When you tap into the post box, look for an icon that shows three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) or three dots. Tap that icon to reveal bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospaced options.
The exact location and appearance of this menu varies depending on whether you are using an iPhone or Android device, and which version of the app you have installed. If you do not see a formatting menu, try tapping directly above the keyboard or to the right of the text field.
Once you find the formatting options, the process is the same as desktop: select or highlight the text you want to style, then tap the formatting button you want to explore.
Using Unicode fonts to create stylized text
Beyond Facebook's standard formatting, you can use Unicode font generators to create text that looks different — such as script lettering, small capitals, or decorative symbols mixed with letters. These are websites where you type normal text and the generator converts it into Unicode characters that look like different fonts.
To use a Unicode font, visit a generator website (search "Unicode font generator" in your browser), type the text you want to style, choose a font style from the options shown, and copy the result. Then paste that text directly into your Facebook post or comment. The stylized text will appear to other people viewing your post, though the exact appearance depends on what fonts their device supports.
Keep in mind that not all devices display Unicode fonts identically. Text that looks like a particular style on your phone might appear slightly different on someone else's computer, or might not display at all on older devices. Facebook also does not may provide that decorative Unicode fonts will remain readable or display correctly in all contexts.
Formatting text in comments and messages
The same formatting buttons available for posts work in comments. Click into a comment box, and the toolbar should appear. Select your text style, type your comment, and post it. Other people will see your comment in the formatting you applied.
Private messages have more limited formatting options. On desktop, you can usually access bold, italic, and strikethrough in the message box. On mobile, these options may not appear at all, depending on your device and app version. If you need formatted text in a private message, try typing it first, then copying and pasting it from a post where you formatted it.
What happens when you change fonts in different Facebook contexts
Text formatting you explore in a post appears the same way to everyone who views that post, regardless of their device. If you make text bold in a post, it will be bold on desktop, mobile, and tablet.
However, if you use Unicode fonts, the appearance can vary. Someone viewing your post on an older phone or computer might see the text as plain characters instead of the stylized version you intended. This is because their device does not have the Unicode font installed or does not support that particular character set.
Facebook's standard formatting (bold, italic, strikethrough, monospaced) is reliable across all devices because Facebook converts these styles into its own display format rather than relying on external fonts.
Troubleshooting when formatting buttons do not appear
If you do not see formatting options when you click into the post box, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app. Sometimes the interface takes a moment to load completely.
On mobile, make sure you are using a recent version of the Facebook app. Open your device's app store (Google Play for Android, App Store for iPhone), search for Facebook, and check whether an update is available. Older app versions sometimes have missing or broken features.
If formatting buttons still do not appear after updating, try switching between the Facebook app and Facebook's mobile website (facebook.com in your browser). The website version sometimes has different interface options than the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the default font for my entire Facebook profile?
No. Facebook does not offer a setting to change the font used across your whole profile or timeline. You can only change the style of individual posts and comments using the formatting toolbar. Your profile name, bio, and other profile information use Facebook's standard fonts and cannot be customized.
Will stylized Unicode fonts look the same on everyone's phone?
Not always. Unicode fonts depend on what character sets a person's device supports. Text that appears as decorative script on your phone might show as plain letters on someone else's older device. Facebook's built-in formatting (bold, italic, strikethrough) is more reliable because it works the same way across all devices.
Can I change the font size of my posts?
Facebook's formatting toolbar does not include a font size option. You cannot make text larger or smaller using Facebook's built-in tools. Unicode generators sometimes offer different sizes, but these are created as separate characters rather than true size changes.
Do I need to reformat text every time I post?
Yes. Formatting applies only to the individual post or comment you are writing. When you write your next post, you start with plain text again and must reapply any formatting you want. Facebook does not save formatting preferences between posts.
What if my comment formatting disappears after I post it?
This usually means the formatting did not explore correctly before you posted. Try clicking into the comment box again, selecting the text, and reapplying the formatting. If the formatting still does not stick, refresh the page and try again. Occasionally a slow internet connection can prevent formatting from saving properly.