Change your default font before you start typing

The font Microsoft Word uses for new documents is Calibri, 11 point. You can change this to any font installed on your computer, and Word will use your choice for every blank document you open from that point forward. The process takes about two minutes and happens in the same place where you format text — the Home tab.

Word stores your default font choice separately from the fonts you apply to individual documents. This means changing your default does not affect documents you have already written, only new ones. If you want to change the font in an existing document, you would select all the text and change it directly instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Word and go to the Home tab, then click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Font group to open the font dialog box.
  • Choose your font from the list, set your size, and click "Set As Default" at the bottom of the dialog.
  • Select "All documents based on the Normal template" when Word asks which documents should use this font.
  • Your new default font takes effect the next time you open a blank document in Word.

Step-by-step: Setting a new default font

Start by opening Microsoft Word. You can open a blank document or an existing one — it does not matter for this task. Look at the top of the window for the ribbon menu. Click the tab labeled "Home" if it is not already selected.

In the Home tab, find the Font group. This is the section on the left side of the ribbon that shows font names and sizes. At the bottom right corner of this group, you will see a small arrow pointing down and to the right. Click that arrow. A dialog box titled "Font" will open.

In the Font dialog, you will see a list of available fonts on the left side. Scroll through and click the font you want to use as your default. You can also change the font size in the "Size" field if you prefer something other than 11 point. Once you have made your choices, look at the bottom of the dialog box. You will see a button labeled "Set As Default." Click it.

Word will ask you to confirm: "Do you want to change the default font to [your font name]?" Below that question, you will see two options. Select "All documents based on the Normal template" — this applies your choice to all new blank documents. Then click "OK." Word will close the dialog and your new default is now active.

Why Word uses the Normal template

Every new blank document in Word is built from a template called "Normal." This template contains the default font, margins, spacing, and other formatting that Word applies automatically. When you set a new default font, you are actually editing the Normal template itself.

This is why your change affects all future documents but not past ones. Documents you created before the change were built from the old version of the Normal template. Documents you create after the change will be built from the updated version. If you open an old document and want it to match your new default, you would need to select all the text and change the font manually.

Choosing a font that works for your needs

The best default font depends on what you write. Serif fonts like Times New Roman or Garamond have small lines at the ends of letters and are traditional for printed documents and formal writing. Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Calibri have no lines and look cleaner on screens. Calibri is designed specifically for on-screen reading and is easy on the eyes for long documents.

If you write documents that other people will read, consider what they expect. Academic papers often use Times New Roman. Business emails and reports often use Arial or Calibri. If you are unsure, Calibri or Arial are safe choices that work in almost any context. You can always change your default again later if you find you prefer something else.

Keep in mind that if you send a document to someone else and they do not have your chosen font installed on their computer, Word will substitute a similar font automatically. This usually does not cause problems, but it can shift line breaks and page breaks slightly. Sticking with common fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, or Georgia reduces the chance of unexpected changes when others open your files.

Resetting to Word's original default

If you want to go back to Calibri 11 point, follow the same steps: open the Font dialog, select Calibri from the list, set the size to 11, and click "Set As Default." Then select "All documents based on the Normal template" and click OK. Word does not have a "reset to factory settings" button, so you have to manually choose the font you want.

If you have changed your default font multiple times and are not sure what you currently have set, open a new blank document and look at the font name and size shown in the Home tab. That is your current default.

What happens if you change fonts in an existing document

Changing the default font does not touch documents you have already written. If you want to change the font throughout an existing document, select all the text first. Press Ctrl+A on Windows or Command+A on Mac to select everything, then choose your new font from the Font dropdown in the Home tab. This changes only that document, not your default for future documents.

You can also change the font for just part of a document by selecting only the text you want to change, then applying the new font. This is useful if you want to emphasize a section or use a different font for headings while keeping the body text in your default font.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default font affect documents I have already saved?

No. Documents you created before changing the default will keep their original fonts. Only new blank documents you create after the change will use your new default font. If you want to change the font in an old document, open it and select all the text, then apply the new font manually.

Can I set different default fonts for different types of documents?

Not easily in Word itself. The default font applies to all new blank documents. However, you can create custom templates with different fonts and open those templates when you need them. This is more advanced and requires saving a formatted document as a template, but it gives you more control over different document types.

What if I cannot find the font I want in the list?

The Font dialog shows only fonts installed on your computer. If you want to use a font that is not listed, you need to install it first. You can download fonts from sites like Google Fonts or DaFont, then install them through your computer's font settings. Once installed, the font will appear in Word's font list.

Does changing the default font in Word affect other Microsoft Office programs?

No. Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook each have their own default fonts. Changing the default in Word does not change the defaults in those programs. If you want to use the same font across Office, you would need to change the default in each program separately.