How to increase text size on Mac

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting

7-10 min read

Expert Verified

Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

To increase text size on a Mac, you can adjust the display settings, use accessibility features, or modify specific application settings. These methods allow you to enhance readability across various applications and system interfaces.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before you begin adjusting text size on your Mac, ensure you meet the following requirements:

•A Mac computer running macOS Mojave (10.14) or later.
•Administrator access to modify system settings.
•No third-party applications that may conflict with system settings.
•Backup important data to avoid any potential loss during adjustments.

Method 1: Adjusting Display Settings

This method is ideal for users who want to increase text size system-wide, affecting all applications and menus.

•Step 1: Click on the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of the screen.
•Step 2: Select 'System Preferences' from the dropdown menu.
•Step 3: Click on 'Displays'.
•Step 4: Under the 'Display' tab, locate the 'Resolution' section. Select 'Scaled'.
•Step 5: Choose a larger resolution option (e.g., 1440 x 900) to increase text size. You will see the text size change immediately.
•Step 6: To verify, open any application (e.g., Safari) and check if the text appears larger.
•Step 7: If it doesn't work, ensure that you have selected 'Scaled' and try different resolution options.

For macOS Monterey (12) and later

In macOS Monterey and later, the display settings interface may have slight variations.

•Step 1: Follow the same initial steps to access 'System Preferences' and 'Displays'.
•Step 2: In the 'Display' tab, you may see a new 'Larger Text' option. Select it to increase text size.

For macOS Big Sur (11) and earlier

In earlier versions, the interface may differ slightly.

•Step 1: Access 'System Preferences' and 'Displays' as mentioned.
•Step 2: Ensure you are on the 'Display' tab and select 'Scaled'. The options may be more limited compared to later versions.

Method 2: Using Accessibility Features

This method is useful for users who need larger text specifically for readability without changing the entire display resolution.

•Step 1: Click on the Apple menu () and select 'System Preferences'.
•Step 2: Choose 'Accessibility'.
•Step 3: In the left sidebar, select 'Display'.
•Step 4: Check the box next to 'Increase contrast' and adjust the 'Cursor size' slider to make the cursor more visible.
•Step 5: Now, go to 'Zoom' in the left sidebar and check 'Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom'.
•Step 6: Use the keyboard shortcut 'Option + Command + = (equals)' to zoom in on the screen, effectively increasing text size.
•Step 7: To verify, open any text-heavy application and use the zoom feature to see if the text size is satisfactory.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while trying to increase text size, consider the following solutions:

•Error: Text size does not change after adjusting settings - Solution: Ensure you have selected 'Scaled' in display settings and try restarting the application.
•Issue: Zoom feature is not working - Fix: Verify that 'Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom' is enabled in Accessibility settings.
•Problem: Text appears blurry after changing resolution - Workaround: Revert to the original resolution and try a different scaled option.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

For power users, consider these additional tips and shortcuts:

•Keyboard shortcut: 'Command + Plus (+)' - Zoom in on webpages and documents.
•Command line: Use 'defaults write com.apple.universalaccess closeViewScrollWheelToggle -bool true' - Enables zooming with the scroll wheel.
•Hidden feature: 'Text Size' option in specific applications like Pages and Mail - Access through 'Format' > 'Font' > 'Bigger'.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

For the best experience, combine display adjustments with accessibility features to create a personalized setup.