Set your default font before you start typing

Outlook uses a default font — usually Calibri or Arial — for every new email you write. You can change this to any font installed on your computer, and the change applies to all future messages. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Outlook on Windows, Mac, or the web version.

The default font setting lives in your email composition options, not in your general Windows or Mac settings. Changing your system font won't affect Outlook unless you also change it within the program itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Default font settings in Outlook are separate from your computer's system font and must be changed within the program.
  • On Windows, you access font defaults through File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts.
  • On Mac, the setting is in Outlook > Preferences > Composing Messages.
  • Your chosen font applies only to new messages you write, not to replies or forwarded emails unless you configure those separately.
  • If you use Outlook on the web, you can only change font within individual messages, not set a permanent default.

Changing the default font on Windows Outlook

Open Outlook and go to File in the top left corner. Click Options at the bottom of the menu. In the Outlook Options window, select Mail from the left sidebar.

Look for the section labeled Composing messages and click the button that says Stationery and Fonts. A new window opens with three tabs: Personal Stationery, Signatures, and Fonts. Click the Fonts tab.

Under the Fonts tab, you'll see options for "New mail messages", "Replying or forwarding messages", and "Composing messages in Plain Text". Click the Choose Font button next to "New mail messages" to select your preferred font, size, and color. Click OK to save, then OK again to close the Outlook Options window.

Changing the default font on Mac Outlook

Open Outlook and click Outlook in the menu bar at the very top of your screen. Select Preferences from the dropdown menu. In the Preferences window, find and click Composing Messages.

Look for the section labeled Composing and you'll see a dropdown menu for font selection. Click the dropdown to choose your font, then use the adjacent controls to set the size. Some versions of Mac Outlook also let you set the color here. Click the red close button to save and exit.

Why replies and forwards may not use your default font

When you reply to or forward an email, Outlook often uses the font from the original message instead of your default. This happens because Outlook assumes you want to match the conversation's existing formatting. If you want replies and forwards to use your chosen font, you need to set that separately in the same Stationery and Fonts window (Windows) or Composing Messages preferences (Mac).

On Windows, click Choose Font next to "Replying or forwarding messages" to set that separately. On Mac, you may see a separate option for reply and forward formatting in the same Composing Messages section.

What to do if Outlook on the web doesn't let you set a default

If you use Outlook through a web browser (outlook.office.com or outlook.live.com), you cannot set a permanent default font the way you can in the desktop version. Instead, you change the font for each message individually by clicking the font dropdown in the compose toolbar.

If you need a consistent default font and you use Outlook on the web, consider downloading the desktop version of Outlook instead. The desktop version gives you far more control over formatting defaults and other composition settings.

Common fonts and when to use them

Calibri and Arial are defaults because they display consistently across different devices and email clients. If you switch to a decorative or unusual font, some recipients may see a different font if their email client doesn't have it installed — the client will substitute a similar font automatically, which may not look the way you intended.

For professional emails, stick with fonts like Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, or Verdana. These are installed on nearly all computers. If you use a less common font, test by sending a message to yourself from a different email account or device to see how it appears to others.

Resetting to Outlook's original default font

If you want to go back to Outlook's built-in default, follow the same steps to open your font settings (File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts on Windows, or Outlook > Preferences > Composing Messages on Mac). Instead of choosing a new font, look for a button or option that says Reset or Restore Defaults. Click it, then click OK.

If you don't see a reset button, you can manually select Calibri or Arial — whichever Outlook used before you made changes — and set the size back to 11 point, which is Outlook's standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my default font show up the same way for everyone who receives my email?

Not always. If you use a font that isn't installed on the recipient's computer, their email client will substitute a similar font. Common fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman display consistently across devices. Unusual or decorative fonts may look different to others.

Can I set different default fonts for different email accounts?

On Windows, yes — each account can have its own default font if you configure them separately in the Stationery and Fonts window. On Mac, the setting typically applies to all accounts unless your version of Outlook offers per-account customization. Check your Preferences to see if that option is available.

Why does my font change back to the original after I set a new default?

This usually happens if Outlook didn't save your changes properly. Make sure you click OK on every dialog box that opens, not just the final one. If it keeps reverting, try restarting Outlook completely and repeating the steps. On Mac, also check that you clicked the close button to save preferences.

Does changing my default font affect emails I've already sent?

No. Your default font setting only applies to new messages you write from that point forward. Emails you've already sent keep their original formatting.

Can I use a custom font that I downloaded?

Yes, as long as you've installed it on your computer first. Once a font is installed in Windows or Mac, it appears in Outlook's font dropdown menu. However, remember that recipients won't see your custom font unless they also have it installed — they'll see a substitute instead.