Change your default font before you start typing

The default font in Word is Calibri, 11 point. To change it so every new document opens with a different font, go to the Home tab, click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Font group, then click "Set as Default" at the bottom of the dialog box. Word will ask you to confirm — choose "All documents based on the Normal template" and click OK. From that moment forward, every new blank document will open in your chosen font.

This is different from changing the font in a document you already have open. Changing the default affects only new documents you create after you make the change. Documents you have already written keep their original formatting.

The process takes about 30 seconds and requires no restart of Word or your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Font dialog from the Home tab, select your font, and click "Set as Default" to change what font appears in all future new documents.
  • Word will ask you to confirm that you want to change the default for "All documents based on the Normal template" — this is the correct choice for most users.
  • Changing the default does not affect documents you have already created, only new ones you open after the change.
  • If you change your mind, you can repeat the process and set the default back to Calibri or any other font.

Step-by-step: finding and opening the Font dialog

Start with a blank document or any open Word file. Look at the top of the screen for the ribbon — the row of tabs that includes Home, Insert, Design, and others. Click the Home tab if it is not already selected.

On the Home tab, find the Font group. It is on the left side of the ribbon, below the Home tab name. You will see font names and sizes listed there. In the bottom right corner of that group, there is a small arrow pointing down and to the right. Click that arrow. A dialog box titled "Font" will open.

Inside the dialog, you will see a list of fonts on the left side. Scroll through and click the font you want to use as your default. You can also see a preview of how it looks in the box at the bottom of the dialog.

Confirming the change for all future documents

Once you have selected the font you want, look at the bottom of the Font dialog box. You will see a button that says "Set as Default." Click it. A second dialog box will appear asking you to confirm.

The confirmation dialog will give you two options. The first says "Only the current document." The second says "All documents based on the Normal template." Choose the second option — this is what makes the font your default for every new document you create. Then click OK.

Word will close both dialog boxes and return you to your document. The change is now complete. The next time you open a new blank document, it will open in the font you just selected.

What happens if you want to change it back

If you decide later that you want a different default font, or if you want to go back to Calibri, follow the same steps. Open the Font dialog, select the font you prefer, click "Set as Default," confirm for all documents based on the Normal template, and click OK. There is no limit to how many times you can change your default.

You can also change the default font size at the same time. In the Font dialog, look for the Size field and select the point size you want. Then click "Set as Default" as you normally would. Both the font name and size will change together for all future documents.

Why your default might not have changed

If you followed these steps but new documents still open in Calibri, the most common reason is that you selected "Only the current document" instead of "All documents based on the Normal template." The change will only affect that one file, not future ones.

To fix this, open any document, go back to the Font dialog, select your preferred font, click "Set as Default," and this time make sure you choose "All documents based on the Normal template" before clicking OK.

Another possibility is that you are opening a document based on a different template. Word templates can have their own default fonts. If you create documents from a template other than Normal, that template's default font will be used instead of your global default. You can change the default for a specific template the same way, but you have to do it while working in a document based on that template.

Fonts that work well as defaults

Calibri is the standard because it is readable on screen and in print. Other common choices for defaults are Arial, Times New Roman, and Garamond. If you work in a field with specific font requirements — law, academia, publishing — your workplace or institution may have a preferred font.

When choosing a default, consider whether you print your documents or share them digitally. Serif fonts like Times New Roman and Garamond are traditional for printed documents. Sans-serif fonts like Arial and Calibri are often easier to read on screens. Whatever you choose, make sure it is installed on your computer — if you set a default font that is not available, Word will substitute a different one when you open the document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default font affect documents other people sent me?

No. Documents you receive from others keep their original formatting. Changing your default only affects new blank documents you create after the change. When you open someone else's file, it will display in whatever font they used.

Can I set different defaults for different types of documents?

Not easily in Word's standard setup. The default you set applies to all new documents based on the Normal template. If you regularly use a specific template for certain work, you can change the default for that template by opening a document based on it and following the same steps, but you have to do it separately for each template.

What if I want to use one font for body text and a different one for headings?

Changing the default font only sets the body text font. To change heading fonts, you modify the styles. Go to Home, right-click on a heading style (like "Heading 1"), choose "Modify," and change the font there. This is more advanced than changing the default and affects how all headings look in your documents.

Does changing the default font in Word affect other Microsoft programs like Excel?

No. Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft programs have their own separate defaults. Changing the default in Word does not change the defaults in any other program. You would need to change each one separately if you want them all to use the same font.