Adjusting font sizes is one of the most fundamental formatting operations in Microsoft Word, and yet many users only know one method of doing it. Whether you are trying to make a document title stand out with a large, bold heading, creating accessible content for readers with visual impairments by using larger body text, or squeezing an overly long document onto fewer pages by reducing the size slightly, knowing all the available techniques will make you significantly faster and more confident with Word.
Understanding Font Size Units in Word
Font sizes in Word are measured in points (pt), a typographic unit. One point is approximately 1/72nd of an inch. Common body text sizes range from 10pt to 12pt, headings typically use 14pt to 28pt, and titles can go even higher. Word also supports decimal sizes (such as 11.5pt) for precise typesetting.
Method 1: Using the Font Size Box in the Home Ribbon
This is the standard method and works for both changing existing text and setting the size before you begin typing.
- If you want to change existing text, use your mouse to click and drag to highlight all the text you want to resize. To resize before typing, simply position your cursor where you will type.
- Click the Home tab in the ribbon at the top of the Word window.
- In the “Font” section of the ribbon, locate the number box displaying the current font size (this is typically 11 or 12 by default).
- Click the small dropdown arrow to the right of the number box. A list of common sizes will appear.
- Select a size from the list, or click directly inside the number box, type any specific number you want (including decimal values like 13.5), and press Enter to apply it.
Increment buttons: Immediately to the right of the font size box, you will see two “A” icons — a large one and a smaller one. Clicking the large “A” increases the size by one step at a time. Clicking the smaller “A” decreases it. These are useful for making quick relative adjustments without typing a specific number.
Method 2: Using the Mini Toolbar (Quick Access on Selected Text)
When you highlight text and right-click on it, a floating “Mini Toolbar” appears directly above your cursor. This toolbar contains the same font controls as the ribbon but is positioned close to where you are working, saving you the trip to the top of the screen.
- Highlight the text you want to resize.
- Right-click on the highlighted text.
- The semi-transparent Mini Toolbar will appear directly above your mouse cursor. Click the font size dropdown or the A/A increment buttons on the Mini Toolbar to adjust the size.
Method 3: Keyboard Shortcuts (Fastest for Power Users)
For users who prefer to keep their hands on the keyboard, these shortcuts adjust font size instantly without touching the mouse:
- Increase Font Size (jump to next standard size): Select the text, then press Ctrl + Shift + > (the greater-than key).
- Decrease Font Size (jump to previous standard size): Select the text, then press Ctrl + Shift + < (the less-than key).
- Increase Font Size by exactly 1 point: Select the text, then press Ctrl + ] (right square bracket).
- Decrease Font Size by exactly 1 point: Select the text, then press Ctrl + [ (left square bracket).
The Ctrl + ] and Ctrl + [ shortcuts are particularly useful when you need to fine-tune a title or heading to fit a specific line without it wrapping onto a second line.