Change text size in three steps on any Kindle device
On any Kindle e-reader or Kindle app, you can make text larger or smaller by opening a book and tapping the middle of the screen, then selecting the font size icon. The icon looks like an "A" with an up or down arrow next to it. Tap the up arrow to enlarge text, or the down arrow to make it smaller. Your choice saves automatically and applies to every book you read going forward.
The exact location of this control varies slightly between Kindle devices and apps, but the principle is the same across all of them. On older Kindle models with physical buttons, you use the menu instead of tapping. On phones and tablets running the Kindle app, the text size button appears in the same menu as other reading settings.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the center of the screen while reading, then look for the "A" icon with arrows to adjust text size on any Kindle device or app.
- Text size changes save automatically and carry over to all your books, so you only need to set it once.
- Kindle devices offer between five and eight text size options, depending on the model.
- If you cannot see the menu after tapping the screen, wait a moment for it to appear, or try tapping again in a different spot.
How to change text size on Kindle e-readers
On Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis, and standard Kindle devices, open any book and tap the center of the screen. A menu bar will appear at the top and bottom of the page. Look for the "A" icon in the top menu bar — it usually sits between the book title and the three-dot menu. Tap that icon to open the text size slider.
Once the slider appears, tap the up arrow to make text larger or the down arrow to make it smaller. You will see the text on the page change in real time as you adjust. When you reach the size you want, tap anywhere outside the slider to close it. The setting sticks with that book and all future books you read on that device.
On older Kindle devices without a touchscreen, press the Menu button, scroll to "Text Size," and use the forward and back buttons to adjust. The process takes the same number of steps but uses physical buttons instead of taps.
How to change text size in the Kindle app on phones and tablets
Open a book in the Kindle app on your phone or tablet and tap the center of the screen. The reading toolbar will appear at the top. Look for the "A" icon — on most phones it sits in the top toolbar, and on tablets it may appear in a side menu. Tap the icon to reveal the text size options.
The Kindle app on phones and tablets usually shows text size as a slider or as numbered buttons (often labeled 1 through 7 or 1 through 8). Slide or tap to the right to enlarge text, or to the left to shrink it. The change takes effect immediately on the page you are reading and carries forward to all books in your library.
What to do if the menu does not appear
If tapping the center of the screen does not bring up the menu, wait two or three seconds — the menu sometimes takes a moment to load. Then try tapping again. On some devices, tapping too close to the edge of the screen will not trigger the menu; aim for the middle of the text area instead.
If the menu still does not appear, check whether your Kindle device or app is up to date. Outdated software can occasionally cause display issues. Restart the device or app by closing it completely and reopening it, then try again. On e-readers, you can restart by holding the power button for 20 seconds until the screen goes black.
How text size changes work across your library
When you change the text size on a Kindle device, that setting applies to the book you are currently reading. If you later open a different book on the same device, it will use the same text size you last selected. This means you set the size once and it carries through your entire library — you do not have to adjust it for each book.
If you own multiple Kindle devices (a Paperwhite and a phone app, for example), each device stores its own text size preference separately. A size you choose on your Paperwhite will not automatically change the size on your phone app. You can set them independently to suit the screen size of each device.
Other text settings you can adjust alongside size
The same menu that controls text size also holds other reading options. When you tap the "A" icon, you will usually see controls for font style (the typeface used), line spacing (the gap between lines), margins (the white space on the sides), and background color (white, sepia, or dark mode on supported devices). These settings work the same way as text size — you adjust them once and they apply to all your books.
On Kindle e-readers, you can also turn on bold fonts to make text stand out more, which some readers find easier to read than the standard font weight. On Kindle apps, the dark mode option reduces eye strain in low light by using white text on a dark background instead of dark text on white.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing text size work on all Kindle books?
Yes, text size adjustment works on all books in Kindle format. Some books with fixed layouts (like graphic novels or children's books with illustrations) may not allow text resizing, but standard novels and most nonfiction books support it fully.
Will my text size choice sync across all my Kindle devices?
No. Each Kindle device and app stores its own text size setting. If you want the same size on your phone and your e-reader, you need to set it on both separately. Amazon does not sync this preference across devices the way it syncs your reading position.
What if I want to make text even larger than the biggest size option?
The largest text size setting on most Kindles is the maximum the device can display. If that is still too small, try switching to a sans-serif font (like Helvetica or Open Sans) instead of a serif font, as sans-serif fonts often appear slightly larger at the same size setting. You can also increase line spacing to make the page feel less crowded.
Can I change text size on a Kindle book I am borrowing from a library?
Yes. Library books borrowed through Libby or your local library's Kindle lending program work exactly like books you own. Text size, font, and all other reading settings adjust the same way and save to that book.