Struggling to read tiny text on your Windows 11 PC? You’re not alone. Whether you have a high-resolution display or just prefer larger text for comfort, increasing the font size can make your experience more pleasant. The good news? Windows 11 makes it super easy to enlarge text across apps, menus, and system settings. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every method to make things easier on your eyes.
Why You Might Want to Increase Font Size
Small text can be frustrating, especially on 4K displays or laptops with compact screens. Enlarging the font size can:
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Reduce eye strain during long work sessions
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Make reading menus and settings easier
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Improve accessibility for users with vision challenges
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Enhance productivity by making text more readable
Understanding Display Scaling vs. Font Size
Windows 11 gives you two main ways to make text bigger:
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Font Size Adjustment – Changes only the text size while keeping the rest of the interface the same.
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Display Scaling – Enlarges everything, including text, icons, and interface elements.
If you just want bigger text but don’t want your windows and buttons to look oversized, adjusting only the font size is your best choice.
Check Your Display Settings First
Before increasing font size, make sure your display resolution is set correctly.
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Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.
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Under Display resolution, select the recommended resolution.
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Apply changes to make sure you’re using the sharpest display setting.
Method 1: Increase Font Size Using Accessibility Settings
This is the simplest way to adjust font size in Windows 11.
Open Accessibility Settings
Press Windows + I to open Settings, then click Accessibility from the left menu.
Adjust Text Size
Under Vision, click Text size. Drag the slider to increase the text size preview.
Apply Changes
Click Apply to make the changes system-wide. Windows will adjust all menus, dialog boxes, and supported apps.
Method 2: Increase Everything with Display Scaling
If you want more than just bigger text, try scaling the entire display.
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Go to Settings > System > Display.
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Under Scale & layout, select a higher percentage (e.g., 125% or 150%).
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Your screen will resize and make all elements larger.
This method is perfect for high-DPI monitors where everything looks too tiny.
Method 3: Adjust Font Size in Specific Apps
Some apps don’t follow Windows font settings. Here’s how to fix it:
Increase Font Size in File Explorer
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Open File Explorer.
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Hold Ctrl and scroll your mouse wheel up to increase text size.
Increase Font Size in Web Browsers
In Chrome, Edge, or Firefox:
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Press Ctrl + Plus (+) to zoom in.
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Set your preferred zoom level for better readability.
Method 4: Use Magnifier for Temporary Zoom
If you just need to zoom in occasionally, try the Magnifier tool.
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Press Windows + Plus (+) to activate Magnifier.
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Use Windows + Plus/Minus to zoom in and out.
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Press Windows + Esc to exit Magnifier.
Method 5: Custom DPI Scaling
For advanced users, you can set a custom scale:
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Open Settings > System > Display.
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Click Advanced scaling settings.
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Enter a custom scaling size between 100–500%.
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Sign out and back in for changes to take effect.
Tips for the Best Experience
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Don’t overdo it. Extremely large text can break layouts in some apps.
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If you use multiple monitors, adjust scaling for each display individually.
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Test different font sizes to find your comfort zone.
Troubleshooting Font Size Issues
Sometimes font scaling doesn’t work as expected.
Text Looks Blurry
Try setting scaling back to 100% and reapplying. You can also enable ClearType Text by searching for “Adjust ClearType text” in the Start menu and following the on-screen steps.
Some Apps Ignore Font Changes
Older programs may not support Windows 11 scaling. In that case, right-click the app’s shortcut, select Properties > Compatibility, and enable Override high DPI scaling behavior.
Accessibility Shortcuts for Quick Adjustments
Windows 11 has several built-in shortcuts for accessibility:
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Windows + Plus (+) – Start Magnifier
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Ctrl + Mouse Scroll – Zoom in and out in supported apps
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Ctrl + Shift + Esc – Quickly open Task Manager to adjust apps that misbehave with scaling
Using Third-Party Tools for Better Control
If you want even more customization, you can try tools like:
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System Font Size Changer – Lets you adjust specific system font sizes individually.
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Better ClearType Tuner – Fine-tunes text rendering beyond Windows’ defaults.
Reverting Changes
If you ever want to go back to normal font size:
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Go to Settings > Accessibility > Text size and reset the slider to 100%.
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Or reset Display Scaling to 100% under Display settings.
Why Font Size Matters for Productivity
Bigger text isn’t just about comfort — it can make you work faster. When menus and content are easier to read, you spend less time squinting and more time focusing on the task at hand.
Conclusion
Increasing font size in Windows 11 is a quick and effective way to make your computer easier on your eyes. Whether you just want slightly larger text or need a complete scaling overhaul, Windows 11 gives you several ways to customize your experience. Spend a few minutes tweaking your settings, and you’ll notice a big difference in readability and comfort.
FAQs
Q1: Does increasing font size affect performance?
No, adjusting font size or scaling doesn’t slow down your computer.
Q2: Can I set different font sizes for different monitors?
Yes, Windows 11 allows you to apply different scaling settings for each monitor.
Q3: Why does some text still look small after changing font size?
Certain apps use their own scaling. You may need to adjust zoom settings inside those apps.
Q4: Can I increase font size temporarily?
Yes, use the Magnifier tool for a quick zoom without changing system settings.
Q5: Will increasing font size affect my screenshots?
Yes, screenshots will show the text at its enlarged size, as they capture what you see on screen.