Set a default font before you start typing
The fastest way to change your default font in Word is to pick a new one before you open a blank document. Open Word, go to the Home tab, click the small arrow next to the font name (usually showing "Calibri" or "Arial"), and select the font you want. Then click the arrow next to the font size box and pick your preferred size. Once you've made these choices, close Word completely and reopen it — your next blank document will use that font.
This method works because Word remembers the last font and size you used when you close the program. It's the simplest route if you're starting fresh or if you don't mind changing the default for all future documents at once.
Key Takeaways
- The quickest default change is to set your font before closing Word, then reopen it — your next blank document will use that font.
- To change the default for all new documents permanently, modify the Normal template by selecting your font, then clicking the arrow next to the font box and choosing "Save as Default".
- The font dropdown is on the Home tab in the ribbon, and the arrow next to it opens the full font list.
- Changing the default does not affect documents you've already created — only new blank documents going forward.
Modify the Normal template for a permanent change
If you want your chosen font to stick across all new Word documents you create from now on, you need to change the Normal template. This is the underlying file that Word uses every time you open a blank document. Open a blank Word document, select your desired font from the Home tab, then click the small arrow at the bottom right of the font box (in the Font section of the ribbon).
A dialog box will open. At the bottom left, you'll see a button labeled "Set as Default". Click it, and Word will ask you to confirm that you want to change the default font for the Normal template. Click "Yes". From that moment on, every new blank document you create will open in your chosen font.
This change is permanent until you repeat the process with a different font. It does not affect any documents you've already written — only new ones.
Choose between built-in fonts and downloaded fonts
Word comes with dozens of fonts already installed, like Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, and Georgia. These are safe choices because they appear the same way on any computer. When you click the font dropdown on the Home tab, you'll see a list of all available fonts on your machine.
If you've downloaded additional fonts and installed them on your computer, they will also appear in Word's font list. However, if you set a downloaded font as your default and then open that document on a different computer that doesn't have that font installed, Word will substitute a different font automatically. For documents you plan to share, stick with built-in fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
Understand why your default might not be sticking
If you set a default font but your next document still opens in a different font, Word may not have saved your change properly. This usually happens if you didn't close Word completely after making the change — straightforward switching to a new document doesn't save the default. Close Word entirely, then reopen it and create a new blank document to see if your choice took effect.
Another reason is that you may have opened a document based on a different template. If you use a template from your organization or a downloaded template, that template has its own default font, and it will override your Normal template setting. To use your chosen default, open a truly blank document by going to File > New and selecting "Blank Document".
Change font size at the same time
You don't have to set font size separately. When you're choosing your default font, the font size box sits right next to it on the Home tab. Pick your font first, then click the size dropdown and select your preferred size — 11 point, 12 point, or whatever you use most often. Then follow the same steps to set it as default: click the arrow at the bottom right of the Font section and choose "Set as Default".
Word will remember both the font name and the size together. If you later decide you want a different size for a specific document, you can always change it after you start typing — the default only affects new blank documents.
Revert to Word's original default if needed
If you've set a custom default and want to go back to what Word came with originally, the process is the same. Open a blank document, select Calibri 11 point (Word's factory default), click the arrow at the bottom right of the Font section, and choose "Set as Default". Confirm your choice, and you're back to the original.
You can also reset Word's settings entirely by going to File > Options > Advanced, scrolling down to the Show Document Content section, and looking for reset options. However, changing just the font through the method above is simpler and won't affect any other Word settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the default font affect documents I've already written?
No. Changing the default only affects new blank documents you create from that point forward. Any document you've already saved keeps its original formatting. If you want to change the font in an existing document, open it, select all the text (Ctrl+A), pick a new font, and save.
What's the difference between setting a font and setting it as default?
Setting a font changes the current document only. Setting it as default changes the Normal template, so every new blank document uses that font going forward. If you just want to change one document, you don't need to set a default — just pick the font and save the document.
Can I set different defaults for different types of documents?
Not directly in Word's standard settings. However, if you use templates regularly, you can modify each template's default font separately. Open the template file, set the font you want, save the template, and that template will use that default whenever you create a new document from it.
Why does my font look different on someone else's computer?
If you used a font that isn't installed on their computer, Word substitutes a different font automatically. Stick with common fonts like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Georgia if you're sharing documents. You can also embed fonts in the document by going to File > Options > Save and checking "Embed fonts in the file", though this makes the file larger.
How do I find the font dropdown if I can't see it?
Make sure you're on the Home tab in the ribbon at the top of Word. The font dropdown is in the Font section, usually on the left side. If the ribbon is collapsed, click the arrow or the word "Home" to expand it. The font name appears in a box, and a small arrow next to it opens the full list.