How to Set Your Default Font in Outlook

Change your default font before you write your next email

Outlook uses a default font for every new email you compose — usually Calibri or Arial, depending on your version. If you want every message to start in a different font, you can change this setting once and it will stick. The steps differ slightly between Outlook on Windows, Outlook on Mac, and Outlook on the web, but all three let you pick a new default.

This is useful if your workplace requires a specific font, if you prefer something more readable on screen, or if you simply want your emails to look consistent with your personal style. Once you set it, you will not have to change the font manually for each message.

Key Takeaways

On Windows Outlook, go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts to set your default font for new messages.
On Mac Outlook, open Preferences > Composing > Fonts and choose your default from the dropdown menu.
On Outlook on the web, click Settings > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Compose and reply to change your font.
Your default font applies only to new messages you write, not to emails you receive or forward.
If you use signatures, you can set a separate default font for your signature text.

Setting your default font in Outlook on Windows

Open Outlook and click the File menu in the top left corner. From the dropdown, select Options. In the Outlook Options window, click Mail on the left sidebar.

Scroll down until you see the section labeled Compose Messages. Click the button that says Stationery and Fonts. A new window will open with tabs at the top — click the Personal Stationery tab if it is not already selected.

Under the Composing Messages section, you will see a Font button. Click it to open the font picker. Choose the font you want from the list, set the size (usually 11 or 12 point), and pick a color if you want something other than black. Click OK when you are done, then click OK again to close the Stationery and Fonts window, and click OK one more time to close Outlook Options.

Setting your default font in Outlook on Mac

Open Outlook and click Outlook in the menu bar at the very top of your screen. From the dropdown, select Preferences. A new window will open with several icons across the top.

Look for and click the icon labeled Composing. In the window that appears, you will see a section for Fonts. Click the dropdown next to Default Font and select the font you want to use. You can also set the font size in the same area. Close the Preferences window when you are done — your changes save automatically.

Setting your default font in Outlook on the web

Log into your Outlook account in your web browser. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select View all Outlook settings from the dropdown menu.

In the settings panel on the left, click Mail. Then click Compose and reply. Scroll down to the section labeled Compose messages. You will see a dropdown for Default font — click it and choose the font you want. The change takes effect immediately, and you can close the settings page.

What happens if you change your font after you start writing

If you have already started typing an email and then change your default font setting, the text you have already written will not change. Only new text you type after the change will use the new font. If you want the entire message in your new default font, you can select all the text you have written so far (Ctrl+A on Windows, Command+A on Mac) and then apply the font manually.

This is also true if you receive a reply to an email. The quoted text from the original message will keep its original formatting, and only your new response will use your default font.

Setting a separate font for your email signature

If you use an email signature, you can set a different default font just for that signature. In Windows Outlook, go back to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts, and look for the Signature section in the same window. Click the Font button under Signature to set a separate font for your signature text only.

On Mac, the signature font setting is in Preferences > Signatures. Select your signature from the list, and you will see font options in the panel on the right. On Outlook on the web, signature formatting is limited, but you can still set basic text properties when you create or edit your signature in the settings.

Troubleshooting: Your default font is not changing

If you set a new default font but your emails still appear in the old font, close Outlook completely and reopen it. Sometimes the change does not take effect until you restart the program. On Windows, you can also try restarting your computer if closing and reopening Outlook does not work.

If you are using Outlook on the web and the font is not changing, clear your browser cache and cookies, then log out and log back in. If you are using a work or school account, your organization may have policies that override your personal font settings — in that case, contact your IT department to see if they can adjust the policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different default fonts for different email accounts?

Yes. If you have multiple accounts set up in Outlook, you can set a different default font for each one. In Windows, go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts and look for the dropdown that says Apply to — select the account you want to customize. On Mac and Outlook on the web, the settings apply to whichever account you are currently logged into.

Will the person receiving my email see my custom font?

Usually yes, but it depends on their email client. If you send to someone using Outlook, Gmail, or most other modern email programs, they will see your font. However, if they are using an older email client or a very basic text-based reader, they may see a default font instead. Stick to common fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman if you need to be certain.

What if I want to use a font that is not in the list?

Outlook only shows fonts that are installed on your computer or device. If you want to use a font that is not in the dropdown, you need to install it first. On Windows, download the font file and double-click it, then click Install. On Mac, open Font Book and drag the font file into it. After installation, restart Outlook and the font should appear in the list.

Can I change the font size separately from the font itself?

Yes. When you open the font picker, you will see both a font name dropdown and a size field. You can change them independently. Common sizes are 10, 11, or 12 point — larger sizes are easier to read but take up more space in the email body.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.