How to Manage Font Size on Mac – Guide
Having a larger font size on your Mac can be beneficial for those with vision impairments, allowing them to more easily read text on their device. It can also be helpful for those who need to work with large amounts of text, as it makes it easier to quickly scan and find the information they need. Finally, having a larger font size can make it easier to multitask, as users can more easily switch between windows without having to strain their eyes.
Macbooks with Retina Displays offer more screen space, but can make text difficult to read due to their high-density screens and smaller fonts.
Working with a large-screen iMac or Macbook on a stand can be challenging, as the screen is typically positioned several inches further away than usual, making text size more difficult to read.
As we age, our vision can decline, making it harder to read small fonts on screens.
Apple has yet to offer a way to adjust the font size across its Mavericks operating system, leaving Mac users to find their own solutions.
Discover how to customize the font size on your Mac to make text easier to read.
Operational system
It’s possible to change the font size in Mavericks, but it requires navigating two different areas: Finder windows and desktop elements.
Windows Finder
Windows feature two components: the window’s contents and a sidebar.
Customize the fonts and icons in a Finder window by clicking the Action icon in the upper right side of the toolbar and selecting Show Viewing Options.
A new panel has been introduced, allowing users to customize the size of both their font and icons in windows.
Changing the view options of a Finder window can drastically alter its look and readability. Screenshots show the difference before and after.
To make Finder windows easier to read, open System Preferences on your Mac and select General.
Change the size of Finder window icons with the ‘Size of the sidebar icon’ panel, offering Small, Medium and Large options.
The larger the icons, the bigger and more legible the fonts become - a fact demonstrated below.
Workspace elements
Right-clicking on the desktop and selecting “Show display options” makes managing the work area easier.
A panel will be available to customize the font and size of desktop elements, making them larger and easier to read. Photos demonstrate the difference.
Mac users can make their Dock icons larger by adjusting the Magnification slider in Preferences.
Forms
It’s time to make sure the apps on your Mac are up-to-date. The operating system can’t do this for you, so you’ll need to check each one individually.
Most applications allow you to customize font size by either changing the settings or using a zoom feature.
Customize your app by opening Preferences with the Command + keyboard shortcut.
Users of certain applications, such as Mail, can customize their font size and even switch to a different font with a different color.
Users of Apple applications can now enjoy a larger display when opening certain programs, thanks to the ability to set a higher zoom level.
Apple has released a new feature for Mac users that makes reading easier on the eyes: Dark Mode. With this update, Mac users can now switch to a darker display setting, reducing eye strain and improving visibility.
Final note
This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to manage font size on Mac. If you have any questions, please reach out for help. Share the love and spread the word about this article with your friends.
