Change your default font before you start typing

To change the default font in Microsoft Word, open a blank document, select all text with Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac), then go to the Home tab and click the font dropdown. Choose your preferred font, then click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Font group. Select "Set as Default" and confirm that you want to change the default for all new documents based on the Normal template. From that point forward, every new document you create will open with your chosen font.

This method works the same way in Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365. The steps are identical whether you use the desktop version or Word online, though Word online has fewer font options available.

If you want to change the default font size at the same time, select your font size from the size dropdown before clicking "Set as Default." You can change font color, bold, italic, or line spacing the same way — any formatting you apply before setting as default will carry forward to new documents.

Key Takeaways

  • Open any blank document, select all text, choose your font from the Home tab, then click the font dropdown arrow and select "Set as Default."
  • You can change font size, color, bold, italic, and line spacing at the same time by formatting before you click "Set as Default."
  • The change applies only to new documents you create after that point — existing documents keep their original formatting.
  • If you change your mind, you can repeat the process with a different font, or reset to Calibri by selecting it and clicking "Set as Default" again.

Why the default font matters

Word opens every new document with Calibri 11-point font by default. If you consistently use a different font — whether for readability, brand consistency, or workplace standards — changing the default saves you from reformatting the same way in every document. You avoid the repetitive step of selecting all text and changing the font before you begin writing.

Some workplaces require a specific font for all documents. Some readers find certain fonts easier to read on screen. Others prefer a serif font like Times New Roman for formal writing. Setting your preference as the default means your documents are already formatted the way you want them when you open a blank page.

The difference between changing default and changing one document

When you change the font in a single open document without clicking "Set as Default," that change applies only to that document. The next time you open Word, a new blank document will still open in Calibri. This is useful if you want to use a different font for one project without changing your default for everything else.

To change the default, you must click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Font group on the Home tab, then select "Set as Default" from the menu that appears. This is the only way to make the change permanent across all future documents. Simply changing the font in one document and closing it will not affect new documents you create later.

What happens to documents you already created

Changing your default font does not affect any documents you have already written. If you created a document in Calibri and then change your default to Arial, that existing document stays in Calibri. Only new documents created after you set the default will open in your new font.

If you want to change the font in an existing document, select all text in that document with Ctrl+A, choose your new font, and close the document. You do not need to click "Set as Default" — that step is only for changing what future documents will look like.

Resetting to the original default

If you want to go back to Calibri 11-point, follow the same steps: open a blank document, select all text, choose Calibri from the font dropdown, click the arrow in the Font group, and select "Set as Default." Word does not have a "reset to factory settings" button for fonts — you simply set whichever font you want as the new default.

You can change your default font as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you can repeat this process, and no penalty for changing it back and forth between projects or seasons.

Font availability across devices and versions

If you set a default font that is not installed on another computer, Word will substitute the closest available font when someone opens your document on that device. Common fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, and Calibri are installed on nearly all computers, so they travel well between devices. Specialty fonts or fonts you purchased may not be available on every machine.

If you share documents with others or work across multiple devices, choose a font that is likely to be installed everywhere. The safest choices are the fonts that come built into Windows and Mac: Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, Courier New, and Georgia. If you use a less common font and send the document to someone else, ask them to let you know if the font looks different on their screen.

Changing defaults in Word templates

If you use a custom template for certain types of documents, you can set a different default font for that template. Open the template file itself (not a document based on the template), change the font, click "Set as Default," and save the template. From then on, any new document you create from that template will use your chosen font, while documents based on the Normal template will use whatever default you set there.

This is useful if you have one template for client proposals and another for internal memos — each can have its own default font without affecting the other. To find your templates, go to File, then Options, then Trust Center, then Trust Center Settings, then Trusted Locations. The default template location is listed there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the default font affect documents I already have open?

No. Documents that are already open keep their current formatting. The change takes effect only in new documents you create after you set the default. If you have a document open in Calibri and you change the default to Arial, that open document stays in Calibri until you manually change it.

Can I set a different default font for different document types?

Yes, if you use templates. Open the template file, change the font, set it as default, and save the template. Each template can have its own default font. Documents based on the Normal template will use whatever default you set in Normal.dotm, while documents based on other templates will use their own defaults.

What if I set a default font and it does not appear in new documents?

Make sure you clicked the arrow in the Font group and selected "Set as Default," not just changed the font in one document. If you did that and the font still is not appearing, restart Word. If the problem continues, the font may not be properly installed on your computer — check your system fonts in Windows Settings or Mac System Preferences.

Will my default font change affect documents other people send me?

No. When someone sends you a document, it keeps whatever font they used when they created it. Your default font setting only controls what font appears in new blank documents you create yourself.

Can I set multiple default fonts for different situations?

Not automatically, but you can create multiple templates, each with its own default font. You can also create a blank document in your preferred font, save it as a template, and use that template as your starting point for certain projects. This gives you more control than a single global default.