Change text size in three taps

You can make text larger or smaller on any Kindle device or app by opening a book and tapping the screen to reveal the reading toolbar, then selecting the text size icon. The icon looks like an "A" with an up or down arrow next to it. Tap it once to open the size menu, then choose your preferred size from the options shown. The change takes effect immediately and stays set for that book.

The process is the same whether you're reading on a Kindle e-reader, a Kindle Fire tablet, or the Kindle app on your phone or computer. Your text size preference saves separately for each book, so you can set different sizes for different titles without affecting others you've already customized.

Key Takeaways

  • Open any book and tap the middle of the screen to show the toolbar with reading controls.
  • The text size button is marked with an "A" and appears in the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
  • Kindle offers seven different text sizes, from extra small to extra large, and you can switch between them at any time.
  • Your chosen size saves for each individual book, so different books can have different settings.
  • On Kindle e-readers, you can also adjust line spacing and margins from the same menu.

Finding the text size button on your Kindle device

When you're reading a book on a Kindle e-reader like the Paperwhite or Oasis, tap anywhere in the middle of the page to bring up the reading toolbar. You'll see several icons at the bottom of the screen. The text size icon is the one that looks like the letter "A" with a small arrow pointing up or down. It's usually located near the center of the toolbar, next to the brightness or font controls.

If the toolbar disappears before you can tap the icon, just tap the screen again. The toolbar will reappear. Some readers find it helpful to tap slightly higher on the page if the toolbar seems slow to appear — this gives the device a clearer target.

Changing text size on Kindle Fire and tablet apps

On a Kindle Fire tablet or the Kindle app running on an iPad or Android tablet, the process is nearly identical. Open your book and tap the screen to reveal the toolbar. Look for the "A" icon with the arrow, usually positioned in the top toolbar area rather than the bottom. Tap it to open the text size menu.

The Kindle app on phones works the same way, though the toolbar may be positioned differently depending on whether you're holding the phone in portrait or landscape mode. In portrait mode, the toolbar typically appears at the top and bottom of the screen. Rotate to landscape for a wider reading area if you prefer.

Understanding the seven text size options

Kindle offers seven different text sizes, ranging from extra small to extra large. The menu shows them as a row of "A" letters in increasing sizes, with the currently selected size highlighted. You can tap any size to switch to it immediately — there's no need to confirm your choice or restart the book.

Most readers find that sizes three, four, or five work well for general reading. Sizes one and two are useful if you want to see more text on the screen at once, while sizes six and seven are better for extended reading sessions or if you have vision concerns. Since the setting saves per book, you can experiment without worrying about affecting your other titles.

Adjusting line spacing and fonts on e-readers

On Kindle e-readers (but not on tablets or phones), the text size menu also includes options for line spacing and margins. After you tap the text size icon, you'll see additional buttons labeled "Line Spacing" and "Margins." These let you add extra space between lines or widen the margins on the page, which some readers find makes text easier to read even without changing the font size itself.

You can combine a larger text size with increased line spacing and wider margins for maximum readability. Like text size, these settings save separately for each book, so you can customize the reading experience for each title based on your preference.

What to do if the text size menu doesn't appear

If tapping the screen doesn't bring up the toolbar, your Kindle may be in a full-screen reading mode. Try tapping again, or on some devices, swipe down from the top of the screen. If you're using the Kindle app on a phone or tablet, make sure the app is fully open and you're actually viewing a book — the toolbar won't appear on the library or store screens.

On e-readers, if the toolbar still doesn't appear after multiple taps, try restarting the device. Hold down the power button for 20 seconds until the screen goes black, then press it again to turn it back on. This usually resolves any temporary display issues. If the problem persists, check that your Kindle software is up to date by going to Settings and looking for a Software Update option.

Text size settings don't sync across devices

If you read the same book on multiple devices — for example, on both a Kindle e-reader and the Kindle app on your phone — each device maintains its own text size setting for that book. This means you might need to reset the size when you switch devices. Your bookmarks and reading progress do sync across devices, but display preferences like text size do not.

This is actually useful if you prefer larger text on your phone but smaller text on your e-reader. You can customize each device independently without one affecting the other. Just remember to adjust the size when you switch devices if you want to maintain your preferred reading experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the text even larger than the biggest size option?

No, size seven is the largest Kindle offers. If that's still too small, try increasing line spacing and margins at the same time, which can make text feel more readable without changing the font size itself. On e-readers, you can also try switching to a different font, as some fonts appear larger than others at the same size setting.

Will changing text size affect how my book looks or change the page numbers?

Yes, changing text size changes how many words appear on each page, so page numbers will shift. This is normal and doesn't affect your reading progress — Kindle tracks your location in the book, not the page number. If you're reading a book for a book club that references specific page numbers, note that different text sizes will show different pages.

Do I have to change text size for every book I read?

No. Each book remembers the text size you last used for it. The next time you open that book, it will display at the same size you set previously. You only need to change it if you want a different size for that particular book.

Can I change text size while the book is syncing or downloading?

You can change text size while reading, but if the book is still downloading to your device, the toolbar may not appear. Wait for the download to finish first, then adjust the text size.