How to Increase Font Size in the macOS Fonts Window
Question details
The user wants to increase the text size displayed within the system font dropdown menu on macOS.
- Product
- Mac Office Software
- Device & OS
- macOS Mojave
- Scenario
- Selecting fonts from the dropdown menu while working on documents.
- Observed behavior
- The font size in the macOS font dropdown menu is too small to read comfortably and lacks a built-in setting to change its size directly.
Because macOS does not provide a dedicated setting to enlarge only the text inside the fonts window, you will need to adjust your system-wide display settings or use built-in magnification tools.
Adjust macOS Display Resolution for Larger Text
Lowering your screen resolution or using macOS display scaling makes all interface elements, including the font dropdown menu, appear larger and easier to read.
This is the most effective method if you generally find the macOS interface elements too small. Changing the display scale affects the entire operating system, making menus, icons, and text across all applications uniformly larger.
Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'System Preferences' (or 'System Settings' on newer macOS versions).
Click on the 'Displays' icon to open your monitor and resolution settings.
Next to Resolution, select the 'Scaled' option. Choose a setting that leans toward 'Larger Text'. The screen may flicker briefly as the new, larger UI scaling is applied.
Use macOS Accessibility Zoom Tool
Enable the built-in screen magnifier to temporarily zoom in on the font dropdown menu without permanently altering your system display resolution.
Preview Fonts in the Mac Font Book App
If you simply need a clearer view of what specific fonts look like before selecting them, use the Font Book application for large, customizable previews.
Experience a Better, Highly Readable Office Suite with WPS Office for Mac
If native macOS and Microsoft Office interface limitations are slowing down your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a clean, modern, and highly visible user interface perfectly optimized for Mac users, all while maintaining strict compatibility with your existing files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Terminal command to increase the font dropdown size?
No, Apple does not provide a hidden 'defaults write' Terminal command specifically to alter the font size inside the standard macOS font picker window. Display scaling remains the officially supported method.
Does updating to a newer macOS fix the small font window issue?
Newer versions of macOS (like Monterey, Ventura, or Sonoma) offer refined UI elements and better accessibility scaling, but they still do not feature an isolated setting exclusively for enlarging the font dropdown list.
How can I change the default document font size in WPS Office?
Open WPS Writer, highlight a piece of text, and choose your preferred font and size from the Home tab. Right-click the text, select 'Font', and click the 'Default' button in the bottom left of the dialog box to apply it to all new documents.
