Set your default font once, then Word uses it for every new document

When you open a blank document in Microsoft Word, it starts with Calibri 11-point font. If you use a different font for your work — whether that's Arial for accessibility, Times New Roman for formal writing, or something else — you can change the default so Word remembers your choice. This saves you from reformatting the same way in every new document you create.

The process is different depending on whether you use Word on Windows, Mac, or the web version. Each takes about two minutes and requires you to change the font, then tell Word to save that choice as your new default.

Key Takeaways

  • Word's default font is Calibri 11-point, but you can change it to any font installed on your computer by using the "Set As Default" button in the font menu.
  • On Windows, you access this through the Home tab, then the font dropdown, then a small arrow that opens the font dialog box.
  • On Mac, the process is similar but uses the Format menu instead of the Home tab.
  • The web version of Word (Office.com) does not let you set a permanent default font, so you will need to change it manually each time or use the desktop version.
  • Your default font choice applies only to new documents you create after the change — it does not alter documents you have already written.

How to set a default font in Word on Windows

Open Word and create a new blank document. Go to the Home tab at the top of the screen. In the font section (the left side of the ribbon), you will see a dropdown showing the current font name — usually "Calibri".

Click the small arrow at the bottom right corner of the font box. This opens the full font dialog. Select the font you want, the size you want, and any style (bold, italic) if you use it by default. Then click the button labeled "Set As Default" at the bottom left of the dialog box. Word will ask you to confirm — choose "Yes, set the default for this document" or "Yes, set the default for all documents based on the Normal template," depending on whether you want the change to explore only to this one document or to all future documents. Choose the second option if you want the change to stick permanently.

Close the dialog and close Word. The next time you open Word and create a new document, it will use your chosen font instead of Calibri.

How to set a default font in Word on Mac

Open Word and create a new blank document. Click the Format menu at the top of the screen, then select Font. A dialog box will open showing all available fonts.

Choose the font, size, and style you want to use as your default. At the bottom of the dialog, click "Set As Default". Mac will ask you to confirm that you want to change the default font for all new documents. Click "OK". Close the dialog and quit Word entirely — the change takes effect the next time you open the process.

Why you might want to change your default font

Some fonts are easier to read on screen or in print than others. Sans-serif fonts like Arial and Helvetica are often easier to read on a computer monitor, while serif fonts like Times New Roman are traditional for printed documents and formal writing. If you have vision difficulties, a larger default size (14 or 16 point instead of 11) can save you from having to zoom in every time you open a document.

If you share documents with others or submit work to organizations with font requirements, changing your default does not override those requirements — you will still need to reformat when asked. But for your own drafts and documents where you have a choice, setting a default saves repetitive work.

What happens if you change your mind

You can change your default font as many times as you want by following the same steps and selecting a different font. There is no limit to how often you can do this, and changing your default does not affect documents you have already written — only new documents created after the change.

If you want to go back to Calibri, follow the same process and select Calibri 11-point as your default again.

Why the web version of Word works differently

Word Online (the version you access through Office.com or Outlook) does not have a "set as default" option. Each time you open a new document in the web version, it starts with Calibri. If you use Word Online regularly, you have two options: change the font manually each time you create a document, or read and use the desktop version of Word, which does support default font settings.

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you have access to both the web and desktop versions. The desktop version is usually faster and has more features, including the ability to set defaults.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my default font affect documents I already wrote?

No. Your default font choice applies only to new documents you create after making the change. Any document you wrote before the change keeps its original formatting.

What if I want different default fonts for different types of documents?

Word's default font setting applies to all new documents. If you need different fonts for different purposes, you can create templates — a template is a document with your preferred formatting that you save and use as a starting point. You would create one template with your preferred font for formal writing, another for casual work, and so on.

Can I set a default font size separately from the font itself?

Yes. When you open the font dialog and click "Set As Default," you choose both the font name and the size at the same time. So you can set Arial 14-point as your default, or Times New Roman 12-point — whatever combination you prefer.

Why does Word keep reverting to Calibri even after I set a new default?

This usually happens if you chose "Set the default for this document" instead of "Set the default for all documents based on the Normal template." Go back to the font dialog, select your preferred font, and make sure you choose the option for all documents, not just the current one.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to change fonts faster?

You can use Ctrl+D (Windows) or Command+D (Mac) to open the font dialog quickly, but there is no shortcut to change the default itself — you still need to click "Set As Default" each time you want to change it.