Change font size in Outlook through the formatting toolbar or settings

The fastest way to change font size in Outlook depends on whether you're adjusting text in an email you're writing, or changing the default size for all your messages. If you're composing an email, select the text you want to resize, then use the font size dropdown in the formatting toolbar — it's the box showing a number like "11" or "12" next to the font name. Click the dropdown arrow and pick a new size, or type a custom number between 8 and 72 points.

If you want to change the default font size for all new emails you write, go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts. Under "Composing messages," click Fonts, then set your preferred size for new messages. This won't change the size of emails you've already received or sent — only messages you create from that point forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Select text in an email and use the font size dropdown in the toolbar to resize just that portion.
  • Default font size for new emails is set through File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts > Fonts.
  • Font size changes to new messages don't affect emails already in your inbox or sent folder.
  • Outlook also lets you zoom in or out on the entire window using Ctrl + scroll wheel or the zoom slider in the bottom right corner.
  • Reading pane font size can be adjusted separately through View > Current View settings if you want larger text when reading received messages.

Resize text while composing an email

When you're writing a message, the formatting toolbar appears above the compose area. Highlight the words or paragraphs you want to make larger or smaller, then look for the font size box — it usually shows a number like "11 pt" or "12 pt." Click the dropdown arrow next to it and choose from the preset sizes, or click in the box, delete the current number, and type your own size between 8 and 72 points.

You can also use keyboard shortcuts to change size quickly. Select your text, then press Ctrl and the right bracket key (]) to increase size, or Ctrl and the left bracket key ([) to decrease size. Each press moves up or down by one size increment. This works in Outlook on Windows; Mac users can substitute Cmd for Ctrl.

Set a default font size for all new messages

If you find yourself resizing text in every email, it's easier to change the default once. Open Outlook and go to File in the top left, then select Options. In the left sidebar, click Mail, then scroll down and click the Stationery and Fonts button. A new window opens with several tabs at the top.

Click the Personal Stationery tab, then under "Composing messages," click the Fonts button. A dialog box appears where you can set the font, style, size, and color for new messages. Choose your preferred size in the "Size" dropdown, then click OK twice to save. From now on, every new email you create will use that size by default.

Zoom the entire Outlook window

If you want to make everything in Outlook larger — not just email text, but the calendar, folder list, and toolbar — use the zoom feature. At the bottom right of the Outlook window, you'll see a zoom slider with a minus sign on the left and a plus sign on the right. Click the plus sign to zoom in or the minus sign to zoom out. You can also hold Ctrl and scroll your mouse wheel up to zoom in or down to zoom out.

Zoom changes apply only to your current view and don't affect how your emails appear to recipients. If you zoom to 150%, your inbox and calendar will display at that size, but when someone receives your message, they'll see it at their own zoom level. Zoom resets to 100% when you restart Outlook unless you change it again.

Adjust font size in the reading pane

The reading pane is the area where you preview emails without opening them in a full window. If the text in received messages is too small, you can enlarge it without changing your compose settings. Open any email in the reading pane, then use Ctrl and the scroll wheel or the zoom slider to enlarge just that view. Alternatively, go to View in the menu bar, then look for zoom or text size options depending on your Outlook version.

Note that this zoom applies only to the reading pane and won't affect the size of text when you open an email in its own window. If you want a permanent change to how you read messages, the zoom slider at the bottom right of the window is the most reliable method.

Font size in Outlook on Mac

Mac users follow a similar process but with slightly different menu locations. To change font size while composing, select your text and use the font size dropdown in the toolbar, or press Cmd and the right bracket (]) to increase or Cmd and the left bracket ([) to decrease. To set a default size for new messages, go to Outlook > Preferences > Composing, then click Fonts and choose your preferred size.

Zooming the entire window works the same way: hold Cmd and scroll, or use the zoom controls if your version displays them. The reading pane zoom also follows the same Cmd + scroll method on Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my font size reset after I restart Outlook?

If you've only changed the zoom level, it resets to 100% on restart. To make a permanent change, set the default font size through File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts instead. Zoom is a temporary view adjustment, while default font settings are saved to your account.

Can I change font size for emails I've already received?

You can zoom the reading pane to make received emails appear larger, but you can't permanently change the size of text that's already been sent to you. The sender's original formatting is preserved. Use the zoom slider or Ctrl + scroll to enlarge them for reading.

Does changing my default font size affect how recipients see my emails?

No. Your default font size setting only controls what you see when you're composing. Recipients will see your email based on their own email client and zoom settings. The actual font size information is embedded in the message, but how it displays depends on their device and preferences.

What's the difference between font size and zoom?

Font size changes the actual size of text in a message and is saved with that message. Zoom enlarges everything on your screen temporarily and resets when you restart Outlook. Use font size for permanent changes to messages you're writing, and zoom for temporary viewing adjustments.