Increase Font Size One Step: What It Means

This page explains what happens when you choose “Increase font size one step� in a browser or word processor, and how to do it yourself. You typically press Ctrl and + (Windows) or Command and + (Mac) to zoom in, or use the View menu to bump the text up by one predefined increment.

Formula

The “one step� increase in most word processors and browsers follows a geometric scale, not a fixed addition. The formula used here is:

New size = Current size × 1.2

Where:

• Current size – the font size you start with, in points (pt) for print or pixels (px) on screen.
• 1.2 – the common step multiplier (about a 20% increase).
• New size – the next larger size on the standard scale.

This matches the typical progression in word processors: 10 → 12 → 14 → 16 → 18 → 20 → 24 → 28 → 32, etc. Each step is roughly 20% larger than the previous one, which keeps the visual jump consistent whether you start at 8 pt or 48 pt.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator (current font size = 12 pt):

1. Multiply the current size by 1.2: 12 × 1.2 = 14.4
2. Round to one decimal place: 14.4 pt
3. The increase amount is 14.4 − 12 = 2.4 pt

So one step up from 12 pt is about 14.4 pt, which most programs round to 14 pt in the font size menu.

How “One Step� Works in Different Programs

The exact behavior depends on where you are:

• Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari): The “Increase font sizeâ€� command (Ctrl/Command +) zooms the entire page, not just the text. It scales everything up by about 10% per step, but the browser’s default zoom steps are not strictly linear – they use a preset list: 100%, 110%, 125%, 150%, 175%, 200%, etc.
• Microsoft Word: The “Increase Font Sizeâ€� button (an “Aâ€� with an up arrow) raises the font size to the next value in the standard list: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 36, 48, 72. Note that from 12 it jumps to 14, skipping 13.
• Google Docs: The font size dropdown lists sizes in 1-point increments up to 24, then jumps to 36, 48, 72. The “Increase font sizeâ€� toolbar button moves to the next listed size, so from 12 it goes to 13, not 14.
• Text editors (Notepad, VS Code): Usually Ctrl + increases the zoom level of the whole interface, not just the text, and the step size varies by application.

How to Choose the Right Step Size

When you manually set a font size, you are not limited to the preset steps. The “one step� command is just a shortcut. To choose a precise size:

• Highlight the text and type the exact size in the font size box (e.g., 13.5 pt).
• Use the increase/decrease buttons to move through the standard scale, then fine-tune manually.
• For readability on screen, a good rule is to aim for about 16 px (12 pt) for body text, which is the default in most modern browsers.
• For print documents, 11–12 pt is standard for body text; headings can be 14–24 pt.

The “one step� command is useful when you want a quick, proportional change without thinking about exact values.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

A frequent confusion is between “increase font size� and “zoom.� In browsers, Ctrl + zooms the whole page, which also makes text bigger, but it changes the layout – images and boxes scale too. In Word, the “Increase Font Size� button only changes the selected text, not the whole document. Another mistake is assuming the step is always +1 pt. As shown, it’s usually a percentage (20% in Word, 10% in browsers), so from 36 pt the next step is 48 pt, which is a 12 pt jump, not 1 pt.

Also, note that “one step� in the font size dropdown may skip sizes. For example, in Word, 12 → 14, not 13. If you need 13 pt, you must type it manually.

Keyboard Shortcuts and Accessibility

Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to increase font size one step:

• Windows/Linux: Ctrl + (hold Ctrl and press the plus key)
• Mac: Command + (hold Command and press the plus key)
• To decrease: Ctrl/Command with the minus key (-)
• To reset zoom: Ctrl/Command + 0

These shortcuts work in most browsers, Office programs, and many other apps. They are part of standard accessibility features, helping people with low vision quickly enlarge content. In browsers, you can also use the menu: View → Zoom → Zoom In.

Limits of the Formula

The 1.2 multiplier is a good approximation for word processors, but not universal. Browsers use a different scale (roughly 1.1 per step), and some apps use fixed increments (e.g., +1 pt). Also, the actual rendered size depends on your screen resolution, DPI scaling, and the program’s rendering engine. The formula gives you a theoretical value; the program may round it to the nearest available size.

For web design, font sizes are often set in pixels, em, or rem. One “step� is not standardized there – it depends on the CSS. However, the concept of a 20% increase is a common guideline for accessible typography.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does “increase font size one step� work the same in all programs?

No. The step size and behavior vary. In Word, it’s a 20% increase (with rounding). In browsers, it’s a zoom of about 10% per step. In Google Docs, it’s +1 pt up to 24 pt, then larger jumps. Always check the specific program’s behavior.

Why does my font size jump from 12 to 14 instead of 13?

Because the standard font size scale uses a geometric progression (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 28, 36, 48, 72). The “Increase Font Size� button moves to the next value in that list, so 13 is skipped. You can type 13 manually if you need it.

Is increasing font size the same as zooming in?

Not exactly. Zooming in (Ctrl + in a browser) scales everything – text, images, layout – making the whole page larger. Increasing font size only changes the text size, leaving layout and images unchanged. In Word, zooming changes the view magnification, not the actual font size.

What is the recommended font size for readability?

For screen, 16 px (12 pt) is a common default for body text. For print, 11–12 pt is standard. For presentations, 24 pt or larger is recommended. The “one step� increase is a quick way to make text more readable, but you should also consider line spacing and contrast.

Can I set a custom step size for font increase?

In most programs, no. The step is predefined. However, you can manually type any size you want in the font size box. In some advanced text editors, you can customize zoom step via settings, but it’s not a standard feature.

Why does the font size not increase when I press Ctrl +?

If you are in a program that doesn’t support that shortcut, or if the text is already at the maximum size, nothing will happen. Also, some websites override browser shortcuts. Try using the menu or check if the text is selected – in Word, you must select text first.

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in t | Current font size | pt | 12 | 0
out new | New font size (one step up) | pt | t * 1.2 | 1
out diff | Increase amount | pt | t * 0.2 | 1