Change your default font before you start typing

The fastest way to set a default font in Word is to change it before you open a blank document. Open Word, go to the Home tab, click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Font group, then select the font you want. At the bottom of that dialog box, click Set As Default, choose All documents based on the Normal template, and click Yes. From that point forward, every new document you create will use that font.

This method works the same way in Word for Windows and Word for Mac, though the exact location of buttons shifts slightly between versions. The key is finding the font dialog box — not just the font dropdown menu, but the full dialog with the Set As Default button at the bottom.

Key Takeaways

  • The default font setting applies only to new documents you create after you change it, not to documents already open or saved.
  • You must click the small arrow button next to the font name to open the full font dialog, not just select a font from the dropdown menu.
  • Choosing All documents based on the Normal template makes the change permanent across all future Word documents on that computer.
  • If you want a different default font for one specific document, you can change the font in that document without affecting your overall default.

Where to find the font dialog in different Word versions

In Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365, the font dialog is in the same place: the Home tab on the ribbon. Look for the Font group — it shows your current font name and size. To the right of those boxes is a small diagonal arrow. Click that arrow to open the full Font dialog box.

In Word for Mac, the process is nearly identical. Go to Home, find the Font group, and click the small arrow. The dialog that opens looks slightly different from the Windows version, but the Set As Default button is in the same location at the bottom.

If you are using an older version of Word (2010 or earlier), the ribbon layout is different, but the principle is the same: find the Font group on the Home tab, open the full dialog with the arrow button, and look for Set As Default at the bottom.

What happens when you set a default font

When you click Set As Default and confirm that you want to change the default for all documents based on the Normal template, Word stores that preference on your computer. The next time you create a new blank document, it will open with your chosen font already selected.

This change affects only new documents. Any document you have already created or saved will keep the font it currently has. If you want to change the font in an existing document, you need to select all the text in that document (Ctrl+A on Windows, Command+A on Mac) and then change the font manually.

Changing the default font size at the same time

While you have the Font dialog box open, you can also set a default font size. In the same dialog where you choose your font name, there is a Size field. Select the size you want — 11 or 12 point is standard for most documents — and then click Set As Default. Both the font and the size will apply to all new documents.

You can also set other font properties this way, such as whether you want bold or italic as your default, though most people leave these unchecked and apply them only when needed in individual documents.

Resetting to Word's original default font

If you want to go back to Word's original default font (Calibri in most recent versions), follow the same steps: open the Font dialog, select Calibri, and click Set As Default. There is no separate "reset" button — you simply choose the font you want and set it as default again.

If you are not sure what Word's original default was, Calibri 11 point is the standard starting point for most modern versions. Some older versions used Times New Roman, but Calibri has been the default since Word 2007.

Why your default font might not be changing

If you set a default font but new documents still open with a different font, the most common cause is that you selected This document only instead of All documents based on the Normal template. When you click Set As Default, a dialog box appears asking which scope you want. Always choose the second option if you want the change to stick across all future documents.

Another possibility is that your document is using a template other than Normal. Word allows different templates to have different defaults. If you are working from a template provided by your workplace or school, that template may have its own default font that overrides your personal default. In that case, you would need to change the default within that specific template, not in the Normal template.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The default font setting applies only to new documents you create after you make the change. Documents you have already saved will keep their current font unless you manually change them.

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

Yes, if you use templates. You can create a template with a specific default font and use that template when you want that font. However, if you are using Word's standard blank document, there is only one default that applies to all new blank documents.

What is the difference between the font dropdown and the font dialog?

The font dropdown menu (where you just click a font name) lets you change the font in your current document, but it does not have a Set As Default option. The font dialog (opened by clicking the small arrow) has all the font options plus the button to make it your default for all future documents.

Does my default font choice sync across devices if I use Word online?

No. Default font settings are stored on your computer, not in your Microsoft account. If you use Word on multiple devices, you will need to set the default font on each device separately. Word online (the browser version) does not have a default font setting.

Can I set a default font for just one specific document?

Yes. Select all the text in that document (Ctrl+A or Command+A), change the font, and save the document. That document will always open with that font. You do not need to use the Set as Default button — that is only for changing the default across all future documents.