Set your default font before you start typing
Microsoft Word starts every new document with Calibri 11-point as the default font. You can change this so that every document you create opens with a different font instead. The process takes about two minutes and happens in the font settings menu, not in a document itself.
The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac versions of Word, but both let you pick any font installed on your computer and set it as the standard. Once you change the default, all future blank documents will open with your choice — existing documents keep whatever font they already have.
Key Takeaways
- Word's default font is Calibri 11-point, but you can change it to any installed font through the font settings menu.
- On Windows, open the Home tab, click the font dropdown arrow, select your font, then click "Set as Default" at the bottom of the menu.
- On Mac, use Format menu > Font > Font panel, pick your font, then click the dropdown and select "Set as Default Font".
- Changing the default only affects new blank documents — it does not change fonts in documents you have already created.
- You can also set a default font size and style (bold, italic) at the same time you set the font itself.
How to change the default font on Windows
Open Microsoft Word and create a new blank document. Go to the Home tab at the top of the screen. On the left side of the ribbon, you will see the font name (usually "Calibri") inside a box with a dropdown arrow next to it.
Click the dropdown arrow next to the font name. A list of all available fonts on your computer will appear. Scroll through and click the font you want to use as your default. The document text will change to show you what that font looks like.
Once you have selected the font you want, look at the bottom of the font dropdown menu. You will see a button that says "Set as Default". Click it. A dialog box will appear asking whether you want to change the default font for all documents based on the Normal template. Click "Yes" to confirm.
After you click Yes, Word closes the dialog and returns you to the document. The change is now saved. Every new blank document you create from this point forward will open with your chosen font instead of Calibri.
How to change the default font on Mac
Open Microsoft Word and create a new blank document. At the top of the screen, click the Format menu. From the dropdown, select Font, then click Font Panel (or Font in some versions). A font selection window will open on the right side of your screen.
In the font panel, you will see a list of fonts on the left. Click the font you want to use as your default. The document will update to show you the font in use. You can also adjust the size using the size field if you want a different default size than 11-point.
Once you have chosen your font and size, look at the bottom of the font panel. Click the dropdown menu button (it looks like a small arrow or gear icon depending on your Word version) and select "Set as Default Font". A confirmation message will appear. Click OK or confirm the change.
Your default font is now changed. New blank documents will open with your chosen font the next time you create one.
Choosing a font that works for your needs
Before you set a default, think about what you use Word for most often. If you write formal documents like letters or reports, fonts like Times New Roman, Garamond, or Calibri are standard and widely accepted. If you create documents for personal use or informal sharing, you have more flexibility.
Keep in mind that some fonts are serif fonts (they have small lines at the ends of letters) and some are sans-serif (clean lines with no extra marks). Serif fonts like Times New Roman are traditional for printed documents. Sans-serif fonts like Arial and Helvetica are easier to read on screens. Calibri is a sans-serif font designed specifically for on-screen reading.
Also consider font size. The default 11-point works for most documents, but if you find yourself always changing it to 12-point, you can set 12-point as your default size at the same time you set the font. This saves you a step every time you start a new document.
What happens to documents you already created
Changing your default font does not affect any documents you have already written or saved. Those documents keep whatever font they currently have. The default change only applies to new blank documents you create after making the change.
If you want to change the font in an existing document, you need to select all the text in that document (Ctrl+A on Windows, Command+A on Mac) and then change the font manually using the font dropdown. This is a separate action from setting the default.
Changing the default font back to Calibri
If you want to return to Word's original default font, follow the same steps you used to change it. Select Calibri from the font dropdown, click "Set as Default", and confirm. Word will then open all new documents with Calibri again.
You can change your default font as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you can make this change, and it does not affect any documents you have already saved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set different default fonts for different types of documents?
Not through the standard default font setting. However, you can create document templates with different fonts and open those templates when you need a specific font. Word also lets you create custom styles that use different fonts, which you can explore to new documents quickly.
What if the font I want does not appear in the dropdown list?
The font list shows only fonts installed on your computer. If you need a font that is not there, you must install it first through your operating system's font settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Personalization > Fonts. On Mac, use Font Book in your Applications folder.
Will changing my default font affect documents I share with other people?
No. Your default font setting only controls what appears when you create a new document on your computer. When you send a document to someone else, they see the fonts that are actually in the document file, not your default settings.
Can I set a default font size and style at the same time?
Yes. Before you click "Set as Default", you can change the font size and explore bold or italic formatting. When you set it as default, Word remembers all those choices. Every new document will open with that font, size, and style combination.
What is the difference between the font dropdown and the font panel?
They do the same thing — the dropdown is faster for picking a font, while the panel gives you more control over size and style at once. On Windows, you use the dropdown. On Mac, you use the font panel. Both lead to the same "Set as Default" option.