Change the Default Font in Word for Mac

Updated 10 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To change Word’s default font on a Mac, open the Font dialog, choose the typeface and size you want, then select Default and confirm that the change applies to documents based on the Normal template. This changes the starting font for new documents that use that template; it does not automatically reformat existing documents.

Set the default font in Word for Mac

Open Word and create a blank document, or open a document where you can access the formatting controls.
On the menu bar, choose Format > Font. Depending on your Word layout, you may also be able to open the Font dialog from the Home tab by clicking the small dialog launcher in the Font group.
In the Font dialog, choose a font family and style, such as Arial Regular or Georgia Regular, and set the size. Adjust other options only if you want them to be part of the default formatting.
Select Default at the bottom of the dialog. If Word asks whether to apply the change to the Normal template, confirm the option to apply it to documents based on that template.
Close the dialog and create a new blank document to check the result. The insertion point should use the font and size you selected.

In some releases or window layouts, the button may be labeled Set As Default, or the wording of the confirmation prompt may differ. The important choice is to update the Normal template, rather than limit the change to the current document.

What the default setting changes

Word uses templates to supply starting settings for documents. The Normal template is the usual basis for a new blank document. It can store defaults such as body text font, font size, paragraph spacing, and margins. Changing the font through the Font dialog’s default command updates the template’s font setting, so new documents based on it begin with that choice.

This setting is different from selecting all the text in one file and changing its font. Formatting a document changes that document; setting a default changes the starting point for future documents that use the template. It also does not necessarily change documents created from a custom template, since those may have their own formatting rules.

For example, if you set the default to Georgia at 11 points, a new blank document based on Normal should start in Georgia at that size. A report created from a separate company template may still use its own typeface and styles. A shared document opened from someone else may also retain its existing formatting.

Choose a font and size that work well

The best default is one that suits the documents you create most often and remains easy to read. A clean, familiar typeface at a comfortable size is usually a practical starting point for general writing. If your work has a required style guide, follow its specified font and size instead.

Consider the audience and purpose. A personal draft, a formal report, and a document intended for printing may call for different choices.
Check readability on screen and on paper. A font that looks clear at one size can be harder to read when reduced or printed.
Keep compatibility in mind. If a recipient’s computer does not have your chosen font, Word may substitute another font when the document is viewed or edited there.
Use styles for structured documents. Headings and other styles can have fonts of their own, so a change to the default body font does not necessarily change every heading.

Choosing a default does not prevent you from using other fonts later. It simply saves you from having to make the same change each time you start a typical document.

Default font versus changing a document

A common misconception is that setting a default font updates every Word file on the Mac. It does not. The default controls the starting formatting of new documents based on the template you changed. Existing files keep their current formatting unless you edit them.

To change the font in an existing document, select the relevant text and choose a font from the Home tab. To change most body text, you can use Command+A to select the document’s text and then choose a font. Be aware that this can also affect text that was intentionally formatted differently, and it may not change text in headers, footers, text boxes, or other separate areas.

For a long document, modifying the relevant styles—such as Normal or Heading 1—can be more consistent than selecting everything. Styles control groups of formatting and help keep headings, body text, and lists consistent. The exact style controls can vary slightly with Word’s layout, but they are generally available from the Home tab.

If the new font does not appear

If a new blank document still starts in the old font, first verify that you chose the option to update the Normal template, not just the current file. Then close the test document without saving any unwanted changes and create another blank document. A document based on a custom template may not use the Normal template’s settings.

Check the selected font in the dialog. Make sure the desired font family and size were selected before you chose Default.
Test with a genuinely new blank document. Reopening an existing document is not a reliable test of a default change.
Check styles. If body text changes but headings do not, the heading style may specify a separate font.
Look for a custom template or document theme. A template or style may supply formatting that differs from the Normal template.
Confirm the font is available on the Mac. A font that is unavailable or disabled may not behave as expected in Word.

If the dialog does not offer a Default button, look for the Font dialog launcher on the Home tab or use the Format menu. Word’s controls can move between releases and window arrangements, but the font dialog is the relevant place to set this default.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the default font in Word for Mac?
Open Format > Font, choose the font and size, select Default, and confirm that the change should apply to documents based on the Normal template.

Does changing the default font change existing documents?
No. It sets the starting font for future documents based on the updated template. Change existing documents separately, either by selecting text or modifying their styles.

Why does my new document still use the old font?
You may have changed only the current document, or the new file may be based on a different template. Confirm the Normal-template option and test with a new blank document.

Can I set a different default font for headings?
Yes. Headings usually use separate styles. Modify the relevant heading style if you want those headings to start in a different font from body text.

Will other people see my chosen font?
They will see it if their system has the font available or the font is otherwise preserved for their use. If it is unavailable, Word may substitute another font, which can affect the appearance or layout.

Keep the change easy to manage

After setting the default, check a fresh blank document and, if you use custom templates, check those separately. You can still format individual passages as needed, and you can revise the default later by repeating the same steps. Keeping the Normal template suited to everyday writing while reserving specialized formatting for custom templates is a simple way to avoid unexpected changes across different kinds of documents.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.