Change font size and style directly on your Kindle device
You can adjust the font size, typeface, and text spacing on most Kindle e-readers without connecting to a computer. The steps differ slightly depending on your device model — Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis, and basic Kindle all have the same menu structure, but older models may have fewer options.
To change the font while reading a book, open the book and tap the center of the screen. A menu bar appears at the top and bottom. Tap the Aa icon (usually in the top menu). This opens the text formatting panel where you can adjust size, typeface, line spacing, and margins.
Font changes apply only to the book you are currently reading. Each book remembers your settings the next time you open it, but different books can have different font preferences.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the center of the screen while reading, then tap the Aa icon to open font controls.
- You can change font size, typeface, line spacing, and margins from the same menu.
- Font settings save per book, so each title can have its own preferences.
- Older Kindle models have fewer font options but still allow size adjustment through the same Aa menu.
- Changes take effect immediately and do not require restarting the device or app.
Adjusting font size on Kindle Paperwhite and Oasis
Open any book and tap the center of the screen. The reading toolbar appears. Tap the Aa icon in the top toolbar. A panel slides up from the bottom showing a font size slider with a small "A" on the left and a large "A" on the right.
Drag the slider left to make text smaller or right to make it larger. You can see the change in real time on the page above the panel. Release when you reach the size you want. The panel closes automatically after a few seconds, or tap outside it to close it immediately.
Most Kindle devices offer between seven and nine size steps. The smallest size fits more words per page; the largest is useful for readers who need larger text. There is no "too large" — you can set it as big as you need.
Changing typeface and text spacing
In the same Aa menu where you adjust size, you will see additional options below the size slider. Tap Font to see available typefaces. Most Kindles offer between four and six fonts: usually Bookerly (the default), Caecilia, Palatino, and one or two sans-serif options like Open Dyslexic.
Below the font choice, you can adjust Line Spacing and Margins. Line spacing controls how much white space appears between lines of text. Margins control how close text sits to the left and right edges of the screen. Both settings help with readability — more space between lines and wider margins make text easier to scan, especially for readers with dyslexia or vision difficulties.
Tap each option to cycle through the available settings. Changes appear on the page immediately. You can combine a larger font, wider line spacing, and larger margins for maximum readability.
Font settings on basic Kindle and older models
Basic Kindle devices (the entry-level model without a backlight) use the same Aa menu but offer fewer options. You can adjust font size and usually line spacing, but typeface selection may be limited or unavailable.
Older Kindle models from five or more years ago may not have the Aa icon. Instead, look for a menu button (three horizontal lines) in the toolbar. Tap it and look for "Text" or "Font" options. The process is similar, but the layout differs.
If you cannot find font controls on an older device, check the device model in Settings. Kindles released before 2015 have very limited font adjustment. If you need more control, consider whether upgrading to a current model is worth the cost for your reading habits.
Using font settings in the Kindle app on phones and tablets
The Kindle reading app for iPhone, iPad, Android phones, and Android tablets has the same Aa menu. Open a book, tap the center of the screen, and tap Aa. The font panel works identically to the device version.
One difference: the Kindle app on phones and tablets may offer additional fonts depending on your device's operating system. iPad and Android tablets sometimes show more typeface options than Kindle e-readers do.
Font changes in the app sync across your devices if you have the same Amazon account on multiple devices. If you set a book to large font on your phone, that same book will open with large font on your Kindle device the next time you read it.
Saving your preferred font settings as defaults
Kindle devices do not have a global "default font" setting that applies to all new books. Each book starts with Kindle's built-in default (usually Bookerly at medium size), and you adjust it from there.
However, once you set a font for a book, that setting sticks. The next time you open that book, it will have the same font size, typeface, and spacing you chose. If you read many books and want them all at a larger size, you will need to adjust each one when you first open it.
A workaround: set your preferred font on the first book you read, then use that book as a reference. When you start a new book, open the previous one, note the exact settings, and apply them to the new book. This is not automatic, but it is faster than experimenting each time.
Troubleshooting font changes that do not appear
If you change the font size but the text does not get larger, check whether the book has publisher fonts enabled. Some publishers lock their books to use only their chosen typeface and size. When publisher fonts are on, your size and typeface changes may not take effect.
To turn off publisher fonts, open the Aa menu and look for a toggle labeled Publisher Fonts or Use Publisher Fonts. Turn it off. Your font changes should now work. Note that turning off publisher fonts changes the book's appearance and may affect formatting like drop caps or special typography.
If the font menu does not appear at all, make sure you are in a book and not on the home screen or library. The Aa icon only shows while you are actively reading. If you are in a book and still do not see it, restart the device and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the font bigger than the largest setting?
No. The largest size setting is the maximum. If that is still too small, try increasing line spacing and margins at the same time — this makes text easier to read even without making individual letters larger. You can also try a sans-serif font like Open Dyslexic, which some readers find easier to read at smaller sizes.
Will changing the font affect how many pages the book shows?
Yes. Larger fonts mean fewer words per page, so the book will show more total pages. Smaller fonts show more words per page and fewer total pages. The actual content does not change — only how it is displayed. Your reading progress percentage stays accurate regardless of font size.
Do font changes work on library books borrowed through Libby or OverDrive?
Yes. Borrowed books use the same Aa menu as purchased books. Font changes work the same way and save when you return the book. If you borrow the same book again later, it will start with the default font, not your previous settings.
What is Open Dyslexic font and should I use it?
Open Dyslexic is a free typeface designed to be easier to read for people with dyslexia. It uses heavier bottoms on letters and wider spacing to reduce letter reversals. If standard fonts are hard for you to read, try it. If not, stick with Bookerly or another font you prefer — there is no single "best" font for everyone.
Can I change fonts on Kindle books I read on my computer?
The Kindle Cloud Reader (the web version you access through a browser) has limited font controls compared to devices and apps. You can usually adjust size but may not have typeface or spacing options. For full font control, read on a Kindle device, phone, or tablet instead.