How to Change Font Size on Your Computer and Phone

Where to find font size settings on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android

Font size controls live in different places depending on what device you're using and what program you're in. On Windows, you'll usually find it in the View menu or in Settings under Display. On Mac, it's often in the View menu or System Preferences under Accessibility. On iPhone and Android, font size settings are in the main Settings app under Display or Accessibility — the exact path varies by phone model and operating system version.

The fastest way to find it: open the program or app where you want to change the text, then look for a menu labeled View, Settings, or a gear icon. If you don't see it there, go to your device's main Settings app and search for "font" or "text size." Most devices will show you a preview of how the change will look before you apply it.

Key Takeaways

Windows and Mac both have font size controls in their View menus for most programs, and in system-wide settings for everything else.
On phones, font size settings are in the main Settings app under Display or Accessibility, and changes usually apply across all apps at once.
Web browsers have their own font size controls separate from your device settings, usually in the View menu or by pressing Ctrl and + (or Cmd and + on Mac).
Some programs let you change font size only for that program, while others let you change it system-wide so it affects everything you read.
If text is still too small after you've increased the font size, your device probably has a separate zoom or magnification tool you can turn on.

Changing font size in Windows

In Windows 10 and 11, you can change the size of text across your entire system by going to Settings, then Display, then scrolling down to Scale and Layout. You'll see a dropdown that says "Change the size of text, apps, and other items" — this is usually set to 100%. Moving it to 125% or 150% makes everything larger. Windows will ask you to sign out and back in for the change to take full effect.

If you want to change font size in just one program — like Microsoft Word or Notepad — open that program and look for the View menu at the top. You'll usually see a Zoom option there, or a font size dropdown that shows a number like "12" or "14". Click it and choose a larger size. This change affects only that program and that document.

For web browsers like Chrome or Edge, press Ctrl and the plus sign (+) at the same time to make text larger. Press Ctrl and minus (-) to make it smaller. This change stays in place for that website until you change it back.

Changing font size on Mac

To change text size across your entire Mac, go to System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), then click Accessibility. On the left side, click Display. You'll see an option for "Increase contrast" and a slider for text size. Move the slider to the right to make text larger. This affects menus, buttons, and text throughout your system.

In individual programs like Pages, Word, or Mail, look for the View menu at the top of the screen. You'll usually find a Zoom option or a font size selector. Click it and choose the size you want. The change applies only to that program.

In Safari or other Mac browsers, press Cmd and the plus sign (+) to enlarge text on websites. Press Cmd and minus (-) to make it smaller. Each website remembers your preference the next time you visit.

Changing font size on iPhone

Open Settings, then scroll down and tap Display & Brightness. Look for Text Size — it's usually near the middle of the screen. You'll see a slider with an A on the left (smaller) and a larger A on the right. Drag the slider to the right to make text bigger. This change applies to most apps on your phone, including Mail, Messages, Notes, and Safari.

Some apps have their own font size controls that override the system setting. If text in a specific app is still too small, open that app and look for a settings menu or gear icon. Many apps let you adjust text size just within that app.

If you need text even larger than the slider allows, go back to Settings, tap Accessibility, then Display & Text Size. Turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes. This unlocks even bigger text options in the Text Size slider.

Changing font size on Android

Open Settings, then tap Display or Display and Brightness (the exact name depends on your phone brand). Look for Font Size or Text Size. You'll see options like Small, Default, Large, and Extra Large. Tap the one you want. This change applies system-wide to most apps.

Some Android phones also have a Font Style option in the same menu, which lets you choose a different typeface entirely. If you want to change font size in just one app, open that app and look for its own settings or preferences menu.

If text is still hard to read after you've increased the font size, go back to Settings, tap Accessibility, then look for Magnification or Zoom. Turning this on lets you pinch to zoom in on any part of your screen, similar to zooming in on a photo.

Using zoom and magnification when font size isn't enough

If increasing the font size still leaves text too small to read comfortably, your device has a separate magnification tool. On Windows, go to Settings, Accessibility, and turn on Magnifier. On Mac, go to System Preferences, Accessibility, Display, and turn on Zoom. On iPhone, go to Settings, Accessibility, Zoom, and turn it on. On Android, go to Settings, Accessibility, and look for Magnification or Zoom.

Magnification works differently from font size: instead of making text bigger everywhere, it lets you zoom in on a specific part of your screen, like using a magnifying glass. You can usually activate it by triple-tapping the screen or using a keyboard shortcut. This is useful when you need to read something small just once, without changing your settings permanently.

Font size in web browsers

Every major browser — Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox — has its own font size control separate from your device settings. The quickest way is to use the keyboard: hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and press the plus sign (+) to make text larger, or the minus sign (-) to make it smaller. Press Ctrl+0 (or Cmd+0) to reset to the default size.

You can also access this through the menu. In Chrome and Edge, click the three dots in the top right, then look for Zoom. In Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, then Preferences, then Tabs, and look for Font Size. In Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines), then scroll down to Zoom.

Browser font size changes apply only to websites, not to your email, documents, or other programs. If you change the font size on one website, that setting usually stays in place only for that site — other websites will use your default size unless you change them individually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing font size affect how documents print?

It depends. If you change the system-wide font size on your device, it usually won't affect how a document prints — the document will print at its original size. If you change the font size within the document itself (like in Word or Google Docs), then yes, it will print larger. Always preview before printing to see what you'll actually get.

Can I change font size for just one website?

Yes. In any browser, use Ctrl++ (or Cmd++ on Mac) to zoom in on that website. The change stays in place only for that site. If you visit a different website, it will use your default font size unless you've changed it there too. To reset one website back to normal, press Ctrl+0 (or Cmd+0).

What if I change font size and some text still looks small?

Some apps and websites use fixed text sizes that don't respond to your font size settings. Try using your device's magnification or zoom tool instead — this enlarges everything on screen, including text that won't resize any other way. On most devices, you can activate magnification by triple-tapping the screen.

Does changing font size on my phone affect my computer?

No. Font size settings are stored on each device separately. Changing the text size on your iPhone won't change it on your Mac or Windows computer. If you want the same text size on all your devices, you'll need to adjust each one individually.

Can I make font size bigger in my email?

Yes, in two ways. First, try changing your device's system-wide font size — this usually makes email text bigger in most email apps. Second, open your email app and look for its own settings or preferences menu; many email programs have their own font size control. If neither works, use your device's magnification tool to zoom in on the email.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.