The quickest way to adjust text size on any Kindle
On any Kindle device or app, you change text size by opening a book, tapping the middle of the screen, and selecting the font icon — usually marked with an "A" symbol. A slider or preset size options appear, and you move to your preferred size. The change takes effect immediately and stays set for that book until you change it again.
The exact steps differ slightly between Kindle e-readers, tablets, and phone apps, but the principle is the same across all of them. Your choice of text size does not affect how far through the book you are — Kindle adjusts the page breaks automatically when you change the size, so your location percentage stays the same.
Key Takeaways
- Text size adjustments on Kindle happen through a font menu accessed by tapping the middle of the screen while reading.
- Each book remembers its own text size setting, so changing the size in one book does not affect others you are reading.
- Larger text sizes reduce how many words fit on each page, but Kindle recalculates your progress automatically.
- Phone and tablet apps offer additional font choices beyond size, including serif and sans-serif options.
Changing text size on Kindle e-readers
On Paperwhite, Oasis, and basic Kindle e-readers, open any book and tap the center of the screen. A toolbar appears at the top and bottom. Look for the font icon — it shows a large "A" with a small "A" next to it, or sometimes just "Aa". Tap it to open the text settings menu.
A slider or row of preset sizes appears. Drag the slider to the right to increase size, or to the left to decrease it. On some models you see numbered sizes (1 through 7); on others you see a continuous slider. The text on the page updates as you move the slider, so you can see the change in real time. Tap outside the menu or press the back button to close it and return to reading.
If you cannot find the font icon, check whether you are looking at the right toolbar. On some Kindle models, the font icon is in the top toolbar; on others it is in the bottom toolbar. If you still do not see it, try tapping the screen again — sometimes the toolbar disappears and you need to tap once more to bring it back.
Changing text size on Kindle apps for phones and tablets
On the Kindle app for iPhone, iPad, or Android, open a book and tap the center of the screen. A toolbar appears with several icons. Look for the "Aa" icon — it usually sits near the right side of the toolbar. Tap it to open the text and display settings.
A menu appears with a slider for text size at the top. Drag it left to make text smaller or right to make it larger. Below the size slider, you will see font choices: the app usually offers at least two fonts, often labeled "Serif" and "Sans Serif". You can also adjust line spacing and margins from this same menu. Changes take effect immediately on the page.
Phone and tablet apps often include a brightness or background color option in the same menu. If you want a dark background with light text, or a sepia tone, you can set that here without changing the text size itself.
Text size settings that carry across books
When you change the text size in one book, that size does not automatically apply to all your other books. Each book remembers the size you set for it individually. If you want a larger size for a book with small print and a smaller size for a book with large print, Kindle keeps both settings separate.
However, on some devices and apps, you can set a default text size that new books will start with. On Kindle e-readers, this is usually found in the device settings rather than in the reading menu. On phone and tablet apps, the text size you choose in one book often becomes the default for the next book you open, though this behavior varies by app version.
Why text size changes affect page count differently
When you increase the text size, fewer words fit on each page, so the book takes more pages to display. Kindle shows your progress as a percentage rather than a fixed page number, so moving from size 4 to size 6 might change a book from "50% complete" to "35% complete" — not because you went backward, but because the same amount of text now spans more pages.
This is normal and expected. Your actual position in the story has not changed; only the way Kindle counts pages has adjusted. If you switch back to a smaller text size, the percentage will jump forward again. Some readers find this confusing at first, but it means you can change text size at any point without losing your place.
When text size options are limited or missing
On very old Kindle devices, the text size menu might look different or have fewer options than newer models. If you own a Kindle from before 2015, you may see only numbered sizes (1 through 7) instead of a slider, or the font icon might be in an unexpected location. Check your device manual or the Kindle support site for your specific model.
If the font icon does not appear at all when you tap the screen, try restarting the device. Hold the power button for 20 seconds until the screen goes black, then press power again to turn it back on. After the restart, open a book and tap the center of the screen again. The toolbar should reappear with the font options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing text size on one book change it on all my books?
No. Each book remembers its own text size setting. You can read one book at size 5 and another at size 3 without them affecting each other. When you open a new book for the first time, it usually starts at whatever size you used most recently, but you can change it independently.
Will making text bigger change how many pages the book has?
Yes, the page count will change because Kindle counts pages based on how many words fit on screen at your chosen size. Larger text means more pages; smaller text means fewer pages. Your progress percentage stays accurate, so you are not actually going backward or forward in the story.
Can I make text even bigger than the largest size option?
The largest preset size is usually the maximum on Kindle devices and apps. If that size is still too small, some Kindle e-readers support a feature called "word spacing" or "line spacing" adjustment that can make text feel larger by spreading it out more. Check your device settings to see if this option is available.
What should I do if the text size menu does not appear when I tap the screen?
Try tapping the center of the screen again — the toolbar sometimes disappears after a few seconds of inactivity. If it still does not appear, restart your Kindle device by holding the power button for 20 seconds. After restart, open a book and tap the center of the screen once more.
Can I change text size on a library book borrowed through Kindle?
Yes. Library books on Kindle work the same way as purchased books. You can adjust text size, fonts, and other display settings without any restrictions. The settings stay with that borrowed book for as long as you have it checked out.