How to Change Font and Text Size in Notepad

Introduction

Notepad is a lightweight text editor included with every Windows computer. It is commonly used for quick notes, writing scripts, and editing plain text files. By default, Notepad shows text in a very simple style, but sometimes users may find the default font too small, too large, or not suitable for their needs.

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Fortunately, Windows allows you to change the font, style, and text size in Notepad with just a few simple steps. In this guide, we will explain how you can customize Notepad’s appearance to make reading and writing easier.

Why Change the Font and Text Size in Notepad?

Although Notepad is simple, customizing the font has many benefits:

• Better Readability: Large fonts make it easier to read text for long hours.
• Personal Comfort: Choose a font style that suits your eyes.
• Coding & Scripting: Monospaced fonts like Consolas or Courier New are preferred for coding.
• Accessibility: Users with weak eyesight can increase text size.
• Neat Presentation: Proper font selection makes notes look more professional.

Step-by-Step Guide: Change Font and Text Size in Notepad

1. Open Notepad

• Click on Start Menu.
• Type Notepad in the search bar.
• Click to open the application.

2. Open the Font Settings

• In the Notepad window, go to the Format menu on the top bar.
• Select Font… from the dropdown.

👉 A Font dialog box will appear. This is where you can change the font, style, and size.

3. Choose a Font

Inside the Font settings box, you will see a list of available fonts such as:

• Consolas
• Courier New
• Lucida Console
• Arial
• Times New Roman

👉 For programming and scripting, monospaced fonts like Consolas or Courier New are highly recommended.

4. Select a Font Style

You can also select the style of the font:

• Regular
• Italic
• Bold
• Bold Italic

👉 Example: If you are writing plain notes, “Regular” works fine. For headings or emphasis, you might prefer Bold.

5. Adjust Text Size

In the same dialog box, you will see a list of font sizes (like 8, 10, 12, 14, etc.).

• Choose a larger number for bigger text.
• Choose a smaller number for compact text.

👉 For normal writing, 12 or 14 is ideal. If you have weak eyesight or are presenting text to others, you may go for 16 or higher.

6. Preview Before Applying

At the bottom of the dialog box, there is a Sample Preview Box.

• It shows how your selected font, style, and size will look.
• Make sure it matches your needs before applying changes.

7. Apply the Settings

• Once satisfied, click OK.
• The new font and size will now appear in your Notepad window.

👉 Note: These settings apply only to how text is displayed on the screen. The actual saved file (.txt) does not store font styles or sizes, since Notepad only works with plain text.

Resetting the Font in Notepad

If you want to go back to the default font settings:

• Open Format → Font… again.
• Select Consolas, Regular, Size 11 (or 12), which is usually the default.
• Click OK to reset.

Tips for Choosing the Best Font in Notepad

1. For Coding: Use monospaced fonts like Consolas or Courier New.
2. For Long Notes: Use a clear and simple font like Arial or Segoe UI.
3. For Accessibility: Choose bigger sizes (14–18) for better visibility.
4. Avoid Fancy Fonts: Decorative fonts may reduce readability.
5. Use Bold Only When Needed: Bold text may strain eyes if used everywhere.

Common Issues & Fixes

1. Font Doesn’t Save Permanently

• By default, Notepad applies font settings only for the current session.
• In Windows 10/11, once you change font, it usually stays until you reset it.

2. File Looks Different in Another Editor

• Notepad only saves plain text.
• If you open the same file in Word or WordPad, fonts may look different.

3. Cannot Find Desired Font

• Some fonts may not be installed on your PC.
• You can download and install new fonts from Microsoft Store or third-party sites.

Benefits of Customizing Notepad Font

• Improves focus and comfort while writing.
• Reduces eye strain during long work sessions.
• Makes coding and scripts easier to read.
• Helps students and professionals create notes in a clear format.

Conclusion

Changing the font and text size in Notepad is a quick way to make your writing experience better. Whether you are a student taking notes, a professional editing text, or a programmer writing code, the right font and size can improve readability and comfort.

Remember: Notepad only handles plain text, so font changes affect how text looks on screen, not how it is stored. Choose a clean, readable font like Consolas or Arial, set a comfortable size, and enjoy a better writing experience.