The font is critical in any Word document because it affects both readability and aesthetics.
Microsoft Word, one of the most popular word-processing programs, has a default font (Times New Roman or Calibri) that applies to all new documents you create.
But, you may wish to alter the default font in Word to suit your needs or personal preferences. This article teaches you how to change the default font in Word.
Note: The instructions in this article apply to Word 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word for Mac. For this guide, we’re using Word for Microsoft 365.
How to Set Default Font in Word
To change the default font in Word, open any Word document and click the Font dialog box. Select the font and click Set As Default.
You can set default font in Word Mac and Windows. Here’s how.
Change the Default Font in Word Windows
Steps to change the Word default font:
1. Launch a new or existing Word document.
2. Right-click anywhere in the document, and select the Font option.
3. Alternatively, you can launch the Font dialog box by clicking the Font Dialog Box launcher. To do so, navigate to the Home tab in the ribbon menu, then click the small launcher icon in the Font group.
- You can also press and hold Ctrl + D to open the Font dialog box.
4. When the Font dialog box appears, select the font you want to use. You can also change the font style, size, and color of your text in addition to the font itself.
5. After you’ve made your changes, click Set as Default.
6. Choose one of the following:
- This document only. (It will set the font you selected as the default font only for the current Word document).
- All documents based on the Normal.dotm template. (It will make the font you selected the default font for all new Word documents).
7. Select OK to apply the changes. Once confirmed, your preferred default font will be used in the current and future documents you create.
Change the Default Font in Word for Mac
Steps to change the Word default font on Mac:
1. Launch your Word document (new or existing).
2. Select Format from the top menu.
3. Click the Font option and then select the Font tab.
Tip: You can also press Command ⌘ + D to open the Font dialog box.
4. In the Font settings dialog box, choose the font, style, and size you wish to use.
5. MS Word shows you a preview of your changes (like how the selected font looks in your document).
6. Select the Default button.
7. In the pop-up, select one of the following:
- This document only. (It sets the default font only for the current Word document).
- All documents. (It sets the default font for all future documents).
8. Click OK at the bottom to apply the changes you made.
After confirming the changes, all the new documents you create in Word for Mac will use your preferred default font.
Select the Home tab. In the Font group, click the launcher icon. You’ll find the font dialog box launcher in the bottom-right corner of the Font group.
