How Do I Increase The Font Size In Outlook

If you find the text in Microsoft Outlook difficult to read, you are not alone. Fortunately, Outlook provides several ways to increase the font size to make your emails and the application interface more comfortable to view. This guide will walk you through changing the font size for emails you read, emails you write, and even the text in your folder and message lists. We will cover the quick temporary zoom method as well as permanent settings changes for different versions of Outlook, ensuring you can tailor the experience to your exact needs.

Fast Answer

For Reading Emails (Temporary): Use the Zoom slider at the bottom-right of the Outlook window.
For Writing Emails (Permanent): Go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts...
For the Outlook Interface: Go to View > View Settings > Other Settings... to change the message list font.

5–10 Minutes Time needed

Easy Difficulty

Setting the right font Watch out for

Before You Start

You will need access to your Microsoft Outlook application on a desktop computer. The steps may vary slightly depending on whether you are using the "Classic" version of Outlook, the "New" Outlook, or Outlook on the Web.
Have a clear idea of what text you want to make larger. Do you want to change the font for emails you are writing, emails you are reading, or the list of messages in your inbox? Each of these is controlled by a different setting.

Check first: Be aware of the difference between changing the font for your view and changing the font for outgoing messages. Increasing the font size for emails you send can appear unprofessional if it is excessively large. It's often better to change the reading view for yourself and keep sent messages at a standard size (e.g., Calibri 11 or Arial 12).

Step-by-Step Instructions

Method 1: Temporarily Increase Font Size While Reading (Zoom)

This is the fastest and simplest way to make the text of a single email larger without changing any permanent settings. It's perfect for when you receive an email with tiny text.

Select the email you want to read in the Reading Pane or open it in a new window.
Look for the Zoom slider at the very bottom-right corner of the Outlook window.
Click and drag the slider to the right to increase the font size. You can also click the + button to zoom in by increments.
Alternatively, you can hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard and scroll up with your mouse wheel to zoom in.

This change only affects the email you are currently viewing and will reset when you click on another message. It does not change the font size of the email for the sender or any other recipients.

Tip: If you click on the percentage next to the zoom slider (e.g., 100%), a "Zoom" window will pop up. Here, you can type a specific zoom percentage for more precise control.

Method 2: Permanently Change the Default Font for Composing Emails

If you want all new emails, replies, and forwards you write to have a larger font by default, you need to change your "Stationery" settings. This ensures consistency across your sent messages.

In the main Outlook window, click on the File tab in the top-left corner.
Select Options from the left-hand menu. This will open the Outlook Options window.
In the Outlook Options window, click on the Mail category.
Find the "Compose messages" section and click the Stationery and Fonts... button.
A new "Signatures and Stationery" window will appear. Under the "Personal Stationery" tab, you will see options for different types of messages:
- New mail messages: The font for brand new emails you compose.
- Replying or forwarding messages: The font used when you reply or forward.
- Composing and reading plain text messages: A simpler font setting for emails without formatting.
Click the Font... button next to "New mail messages". Select your desired font (e.g., Arial), font style (e.g., Regular), and a larger Size (e.g., 12 or 14). Click OK.
Repeat the process for "Replying or forwarding messages" if you want those to be larger as well.
Click OK on the "Signatures and Stationery" window, and then OK again on the "Outlook Options" window to save all your changes.

Method 3: Increase the Font Size of the Message List

This method changes the font size for the list of emails in your inbox (the sender, subject, and preview), not the content of the emails themselves. This is very helpful for quickly scanning your inbox.

Click on the View tab in the Outlook ribbon at the top of the screen.
In the "Current View" group, click on View Settings.
In the "Advanced View Settings" window that pops up, click on Other Settings....
You will see options for font sizes for different parts of the list. Click the Font... button next to "Row Font".
Choose a new font size and click OK. You can see a preview of your changes in the box.
Click OK on the "Other Settings" window, and then OK again on the "Advanced View Settings" window. Your message list will now display with the larger font.

Tip: In the "Advanced View Settings" window, there is a button for Conditional Formatting. This allows you to set rules, such as making all unread messages appear in a larger or bolder font, which can help them stand out.

Method 4: Increase Font Size for the Entire Outlook Application

If the folder list on the left (Folder Pane) and other parts of the Outlook interface are too small, the solution is usually outside of Outlook itself. These elements are controlled by your overall Windows display settings.

Close the Outlook application.
Right-click on your Windows desktop and select Display settings.
In the Settings window, look for the Scale & layout section.
Under "Change the size of text, apps, and other items", you will see a dropdown menu (often set to 100% by default).
Try increasing this to 125% or 150%. Your entire screen will adjust, making all text and icons larger.
Open Outlook again. The Folder Pane, Ribbon, and other interface elements should now be larger and easier to read.

Note that this change will affect all applications on your computer, not just Outlook. It is the best method if you find text is generally too small across your system.

Method 5: Adjust Font Sizes in the "New" Outlook and Outlook on the Web

If you are using the newer version of Outlook or the web-based version at Outlook.com, the settings are located in a slightly different place and are more streamlined.

For Composing Mail (New Outlook & Web):

Click the Settings cog icon, usually in the top-right corner.
Select Mail > Compose and reply.
In the "Message format" section, you'll see a text box where you can set your default font style and size.
Choose your preferred font and size from the dropdown menus and click the Save button.

For Reading Mail (New Outlook & Web):

Unlike the classic desktop app, there isn't a built-in zoom slider that remembers its setting. The best way to increase the reading size is to use your browser's zoom function.

Hold down the Ctrl key (or Cmd on a Mac) and press the + key to zoom in.
Press Ctrl (or Cmd) and the - key to zoom out.
This will enlarge the entire web page, including the message list and the email content, making it easier to read.

Quick Reference

Situation	Use this	Why
A single incoming email has tiny text.	Zoom Slider or Ctrl + Mouse Wheel	It's a quick, temporary fix that doesn't alter any of your permanent settings.
You want all emails you write to be in a larger font.	File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts...	This sets the default font for all new messages, replies, and forwards you compose.
The list of emails in your inbox is hard to scan.	View > View Settings > Other Settings...	This customises the message list font without changing the content of the emails themselves.
The entire Outlook application is too small.	Windows Display Settings > Scale	This is a system-wide change that increases the size of text and icons in all apps, including Outlook's interface.
You use the "New" Outlook or Outlook.com.	Settings > Mail > Compose and reply and Browser Zoom	The new versions have simplified settings and rely on the browser's zoom for reading adjustments.

Common Problems When You Increase The Font Size In Outlook

Sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them.

My Font Changes Aren't Saving

This often happens because a confirmation button was missed. When you are in menus like "Outlook Options" or "Advanced View Settings", there are often multiple "OK" buttons to click. You must click OK on each open window (the Font window, the Settings window, and the Options window) to apply and save the changes.

Recipients Say My Emails Have a Huge Font

You may have set your default composing font to a very large size. While it looks good to you, it can be disruptive for others. A good practice is to keep your default sending font to a standard size like 11pt or 12pt and use the Zoom feature to make text larger for your own reading purposes. Standard fonts like Calibri, Arial, and Times New Roman are also more likely to display correctly for your recipient.

Changing the Font for Writing Doesn't Change How I Read Old Emails

This is by design. The "Stationery and Fonts" settings only apply to new messages you compose. They do not retroactively change the formatting of emails you have already received. To read old emails in a larger font, you must use the Zoom tool.

The Text in the To/Cc/Subject Lines is Still Too Small

The font size of these fields when you compose a new email is not controlled by the "Stationery and Fonts" settings. Like the Folder Pane, their size is generally controlled by the Windows display scaling setting we covered in Method 4. Increasing your system's scale percentage is the most effective way to make these fields larger.

Advanced Tips for Increasing The Font Size In Outlook

Once you've mastered the basics, you can use these tips to further customise your Outlook experience for better readability.

Use Conditional Formatting for Important Emails

Instead of making all emails in your list larger, you can make specific ones stand out. Go to View > View Settings > Conditional Formatting. Here you can add a rule, for instance, to display any email from your manager in a larger, bold font. Click "Add", give your rule a name (e.g., "Manager"), click "Font..." to set the size and style, and then click "Condition..." to specify the sender's email address.

Understand Plain Text vs. HTML

Some emails are sent as "Plain Text," which means they contain no formatting—no bold, no italics, and no special fonts. In the Stationery and Fonts settings, there is a specific option for "Composing and reading plain text messages". If you find that some emails are not responding to your zoom or other settings, they may be plain text. Adjusting the font in this specific setting will control how they appear to you, ensuring even the simplest emails are readable.

Check Accessibility Before Sending

If you're sending an email with a larger font for the benefit of a recipient with a visual impairment, it's a good idea to use Outlook's built-in Accessibility Checker. When composing a message, go to the Review tab and click Check Accessibility. This tool will warn you if your colour contrast is too low or if your font choices might be difficult for others to read, helping you send more effective and considerate emails.

How Do I Increase The Font Size In Outlook FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about adjusting fonts in Outlook.

How do I increase the font size in the Outlook mobile app?

The Outlook mobile app for iOS and Android does not have its own internal font size settings. Instead, it respects the system-wide font size you set on your phone. To increase it, go to your phone's main Settings app, then look for Accessibility > Display & Text Size (on iOS) or Font size and style (on Android) and adjust the slider.

Can I change the font for just one email that I'm writing?

Yes. The settings we discussed change the default font for all future emails. However, when you are writing any single email, you can use the formatting tools in the message window (on the Message tab) to change the font, size, colour, and style for that specific email, just like in Microsoft Word.

Why does my chosen font look different on the recipient's computer?

This happens if the recipient does not have the same font installed on their computer. If they don't have your chosen font (e.g., a special one you downloaded), their email client will substitute it with a default font, which may alter the size and appearance. To avoid this, stick to universally available fonts like Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Courier New, Verdana, and Calibri.

How can I reset all my Outlook fonts back to the original default?

To reset your composing fonts, go back to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts.... In the "Personal Stationery" tab, you can select a "Theme..." and choose "(No Theme)". Then, check the font settings to see if they have reverted to the default, typically Calibri 11pt. For view settings, you can go to the View tab and click Reset View to return the current folder's view settings to their original state.

Final Checklist for Increasing The Font Size In Outlook

Identify the Problem: Determine exactly which part of Outlook is hard to read—is it the email content, the message list, or the entire application?
Use Zoom for Quick Fixes: For temporarily reading a single email, use the Zoom slider or Ctrl + mouse wheel. It's fast and doesn't change anything permanently.
Set Your Writing Font: If your sent emails need a new default size, adjust it in File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts.
Customise Your Inbox View: To make the list of messages larger, use the options under View > View Settings.
Adjust Windows Scaling for Global Changes: If the whole application interface is too small, increase the scale percentage in your Windows Display settings.
Check Your Version: Remember that the "New" Outlook and web versions have their settings under the main Settings (cog) icon.
Send a Test Email: After making changes to your composing font, send an email to yourself to confirm it looks the way you expect before sending it to others.