This tutorial shows three ways to change the font, font size, and font color in Microsoft Word. First, we’ll use the font options in the ribbon. Then, we’ll use the Mini toolbar. Finally, we’ll use the Font dialog box.
Do you want to change your default font, font size, or font color? Check out my other tutorial “How to Change the Default Font in Microsoft Word.”
Quick Links:
- How to Change the Font, Font Size, and Font Color in the Ribbon
- How to Change the Font, Font Size, and Font Color in the Mini Toolbar
- How to Change the Font, Font Size, and Font Color in the Font Dialog Box
This tutorial is also available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.
Watch more than 200 other document software tutorials on my YouTube channel.
The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. The steps are the same in Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word 2010. However, your interface may look slightly different in those older versions of the software.
How to Change the Font, Font Size, and Font Color in the Ribbon
In Word, the main toolbar at the top of the screen is called the ribbon. The ribbon offers many of the font options most users will need for general content.
- Select the Home tab in the ribbon.
If your document is blank, skip to step 3.
- Select the text with the font you want to change.
To select the entire document, press Ctrl + A on your keyboard.
Alternatively, select Select in the Editing group, and then select Select All from the drop-down menu.
- Select the Font menu arrow to choose a new font. (This menu lists the fonts installed on your computer. Your fonts may differ from those shown in figure 3.)
- Select the Font Size menu arrow to choose a new font size. (The numbers represent typography points. Each point is 1/72 of an inch.)
Alternatively, you can select the Increase Font Size or Decrease Font Size buttons to increase or decrease the font by one point.
- Select the Font Color menu arrow to choose a new color.
For additional color options, select More Colors in the Font Color drop-down menu (see figure 6). Choose a color in the Standard tab of the Colors dialog box. Or, enter a custom color in the Advanced tab.
Pro Tip: Select the Change Case button to choose Sentence case, lowercase, UPPERCASE, Capitalize Each Word, or tOGGLE cASE.
Your text should change to your new font choices immediately.
How to Change the Font, Font Size, and Font Color in the Mini Toolbar
The Mini toolbar offers many of the same font options as the ribbon from within the text.
- Select and then right-click the text to display the Mini toolbar.
- Select the arrow menus to select a font, font size, or font color. (Note that the Mini toolbar includes the Increase Font Size or Decrease Font Size buttons to increase or decrease the font by one point.)
Once again, your text should change to your new font choices immediately.
How to Change the Font, Font Size, and Font Color in the Font Dialog Box
The Font dialog box offers advanced options that aren’t available in the ribbon or the Mini shortcut menu.
- Select the Home tab in the ribbon (see figure 1).
If your document is blank, skip to step 3.
- Select the text with the font you want to change.
To select the entire document, press Ctrl + A on your keyboard.
Alternatively, select Select in the Editing group, and then select Select All from the drop-down menu (see figure 2).
- Select the dialog box launcher in the Font group.
- Select a new font, font size, and font color from the Font tab in the Font dialog box.
- (Optional Step) Select the Advanced tab for additional options for character spacing and OpenType features.
- Select the OK button.
Your text should change to your new font choices as soon as the Font dialog box closes.
Related Resources
How to Create Drop Caps in Microsoft Word
How to Adjust Line Spacing in Microsoft Word
How to Adjust Page Margins in Microsoft Word
How to Adjust Letter Spacing in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)
Updated January 14, 2023