Change the default font before you start typing
The fastest way to set a default font in Word is to change it before you open a blank document. Open Word, go to the Home tab, click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Font group, and select Set As Default. Word will ask whether you want this font for the current document only or for all new documents based on the Normal template. Choose All documents based on the Normal template to make the change permanent.
This method works because Word stores its default settings in a template file called Normal.dotm. When you change the default through the Font dialog, you are editing that template directly. Any new document you create will use the font you selected.
If you have already started typing in a document and want to change the default for future documents, you can still use this method — the change applies only to new documents, not the one you are currently working in.
Key Takeaways
- The quickest way to set a default font is through Home > Font dialog > Set As Default, then choose to explore it to all new documents.
- Word stores default settings in a file called Normal.dotm, so changing the default modifies that template for all future documents.
- You can change the default font size and style at the same time you set the font itself.
- If you want a different default for a specific type of document, you can create and save a custom template with your preferred font.
Access the font dialog from the Home tab
In Word, the Font group sits on the Home tab in the ribbon at the top. You will see a dropdown showing the current font name (usually Calibri or Times New Roman), and next to it a dropdown for font size. To the right of those, there is a small arrow pointing down and to the right — this is the dialog launcher.
Click that arrow to open the Font dialog box. This dialog shows every font installed on your computer, along with options for size, style (bold, italic), color, and effects. The Set As Default button appears at the bottom left of this dialog.
Before you click Set As Default, make sure the font, size, and any other settings in the dialog match what you want for all your future documents. If you want 12-point Garamond as your default, select Garamond from the font list and 12 from the size dropdown before you proceed.
Choose which documents get the new default
When you click Set As Default, Word shows a dialog asking whether to explore the change to "the current document only" or to "all documents based on the Normal template." If you choose the current document only, the change affects only the file you are working in right now. If you choose all documents based on the Normal template, every new document you create in Word will use that font.
Most of the time, you want to choose All documents based on the Normal template. This is the permanent default that Word uses whenever you create a new blank document. The current document option is useful only if you want to keep your overall default unchanged but need a different font for this one file.
Set font size and style at the same time
You do not have to set only the font name — you can also set the default size and style together. In the Font dialog, choose your font, then select the size you want (10, 11, 12, 14 points, or any custom size), and select any style like Bold or Italic if you want those applied by default.
For example, if you want all new documents to start in 11-point Arial, select Arial from the font list, 11 from the size dropdown, and then click Set As Default. Word will remember all three settings.
Be careful with bold or italic as a default — most people find it easier to explore those styles only when needed rather than having them on every new document. Font size and font name are the settings most people change as defaults.
Create a custom template if you need multiple defaults
If you work with different types of documents that need different default fonts, you can create custom templates instead of changing the global default. For example, you might want letters in 12-point Times New Roman but reports in 11-point Calibri.
To create a template, open a new document, set the font and any other formatting you want, then go to File > Save As. In the Save As dialog, change the file type from "Word Document" to "Word Template" and give it a name like "Letter Template" or "Report Template". Save it in the default template location that Word suggests.
From then on, when you want to start a letter, you can go to File > New and select your Letter Template instead of a blank document. That template will open with your chosen default font already in place. You can create as many templates as you need for different purposes.
Check that your change took effect
After you set a new default font, close Word completely and reopen it. Create a new blank document by going to File > New > Blank Document. The font dropdown on the Home tab should now show your new default font. If it still shows the old font, the change did not save properly.
If the change did not stick, try the process again. Make sure you clicked Set As Default and chose All documents based on the Normal template in the confirmation dialog. If Word is still not remembering your choice, your Normal.dotm file may be corrupted — in that case, you may need to delete it and let Word create a fresh one, though this will reset all your defaults.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the default font affect documents I have already created?
No. Changing the default font only affects new documents you create after the change. Any document you have already saved keeps the font it had when you saved it. If you want to change the font in an existing document, you need to select all the text and change it manually.
What if I want different default fonts for different types of documents?
Create separate templates for each type. Save a document with your preferred font as a Word Template (not a regular document), and give it a descriptive name like "Business Letter" or "Report". When you need that type of document, open it from File > New instead of creating a blank document.
Can I set a default font for only one person on my computer?
No. The default font is stored in your user account's Word settings, so it applies to all documents you create. Other people using different user accounts on the same computer can set their own defaults independently.
What happens if I delete the Normal.dotm file?
Word will create a new Normal.dotm file the next time you open it, but all your custom defaults will be gone and Word will revert to its original settings. Only delete Normal.dotm if you are trying to fix a corrupted template and you are willing to reset all your preferences.
Why does my default font keep changing back?
This usually happens if Word is not closing properly or if your Normal.dotm file is being overwritten. Make sure you are closing Word completely (not just the document) before opening it again. If the problem continues, try restarting your computer and repeating the default font process.