Change your default font before you write your next email

The font Outlook uses by default — usually Calibri or Segoe UI depending on your version — may not be what you prefer to write in. You can change it so every new email you compose uses your chosen font instead. The steps differ slightly between Outlook on Windows, Outlook on Mac, and Outlook on the web, but the principle is the same: you set a default in your settings, and it applies to all future messages you create.

This change affects only new emails you write. It does not change the font of emails already in your inbox or sent folder, and it does not change how other people's emails appear to you.

Key Takeaways

  • In Outlook on Windows, go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts to set your default font for new messages.
  • In Outlook on Mac, use Outlook > Preferences > Composing Messages to change the font for new emails.
  • In Outlook on the web, click Settings > Mail > Compose and reply to set your default font.
  • Your chosen font applies only to emails you write going forward, not to emails already received or sent.
  • If your recipient does not have the font installed on their computer, Outlook will substitute a similar font when they open your message.

Changing the default font in Outlook on Windows

Open Outlook and click File in the top left corner. From the menu that appears, select Options. In the Outlook Options window, click Mail on the left side. Scroll down until you see Compose Messages. Under that section, click the button labeled Stationery and Fonts.

A new window will open with two tabs: Personal Stationery and Signatures. Stay on the Personal Stationery tab. In the New Mail Message section, you will see a button labeled Font. Click it to open the font picker. Choose the font you want, set the size if you wish, and click OK. Then click OK again to close the Stationery and Fonts window, and OK once more to close Outlook Options. Your default font is now set.

Changing the default font in Outlook on Mac

Open Outlook and click Outlook in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Preferences from the dropdown. In the Preferences window, find and click Composing Messages. Look for the section labeled Composing.

You will see a dropdown menu next to Font. Click it and select the font you prefer. You can also adjust the font size in the field next to it. Close the Preferences window when you are done — your changes save automatically.

Changing the default font in Outlook on the web

Sign into Outlook on the web. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select View all Outlook settings. In the settings panel, click Mail on the left, then select Compose and reply. Scroll down to find the Default font section.

Click the dropdown menu to choose your font, and adjust the size if needed. Your changes save automatically when you close the settings panel.

What happens if the recipient does not have your font

When you send an email in a specific font, Outlook embeds information about that font in the message. If the person who receives your email does not have that font installed on their computer, their email client will substitute a similar font automatically. This means your message will still be readable, but it may not look exactly as you intended.

Common fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, and Calibri are installed on nearly all computers, so choosing one of these reduces the chance of substitution. Decorative or specialty fonts are more likely to display differently on someone else's screen.

Reverting to Outlook's original default font

If you want to go back to Outlook's built-in default font, follow the same steps you used to change it. In Windows, return to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts. In the font picker, select Calibri (or Segoe UI if you are using a newer version).

On Mac, go back to Outlook > Preferences > Composing Messages and choose the original font from the dropdown. On the web, return to Settings > Mail > Compose and reply and reset the font there.

Setting a default font for replies and forwards

In Outlook on Windows, the Stationery and Fonts window has separate sections for New Mail Message, Replying or Forwarding Messages, and Printing. You can set a different font for each. For example, you might use one font for new emails and a different one for replies. Click the Font button in whichever section you want to change.

On Mac and the web, the default font typically applies to all outgoing messages — new emails, replies, and forwards — unless you manually change the font while composing a specific message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different fonts for different email accounts?

In Outlook on Windows, you can set different default fonts by account if you use the Stationery and Fonts feature with account-specific signatures. However, the simplest approach is to set one default font that applies across all accounts. On Mac and the web, the default font setting applies to all accounts.

Will changing my default font affect emails I have already sent?

No. Changing your default font only affects new emails you compose after the change. Emails already in your Sent folder keep their original font.

What if I want to use a different font for just one email?

You can change the font of a single email while you are composing it. Highlight the text you want to change, then use the font dropdown in the compose toolbar to pick a different font. This does not affect your default setting.

Does my font choice affect how my email looks on mobile phones?

Mobile email clients may display fonts differently than desktop versions. Some phones render all fonts similarly to save space. Your message will still be readable, but the font may not appear exactly as you chose it.

Can I set a default font size as well as a default font?

Yes. In all three versions of Outlook, the font picker or settings menu lets you choose both the font name and the size. Set them together, and both will apply to your new emails.