To change the default font in Google Docs, apply the font to some Normal text, update the Normal text style to match, then choose Format > Paragraph styles > Options > Save as my default styles. The method is a bit different than you might be used to with other applications like Microsoft Word.
How to Change Google Documents’ Default Normal Text Font
- Open the document.
- Choose some text.
- Choose the default font from the Font dropdown menu.
- Select the Format tab.
- Click Paragraph styles.
- Choose Normal text, followed by Update normal text to match.
- Return to the Format tab.
- Choose the Paragraph styles once more.
- Select Options, then Save as my default styles.
Google Documents contains a plethora of formatting options and settings that you may use to customize the appearance of your text. You can use multiple fonts and colors, employ subscript and superscript text, and change the spacing and margins with a few clicks.
When you begin typing text into a Google Documents document, it will utilize the font that is set as your default. If you’ve never changed it, it’s most likely the Arial font.
But if you change the font every time you create a document, you might want to try something else.
Google Docs has a system known as “styles” to format text that you add to your project. There are a few different styles for things like titles, headings, and regular text. Normal text is the most frequent style for document text, and it’s likely that you use it the most.
Happily, in Google Documents, you can alter the default font for any normal text that you input in a document.
How to Alter the Default Font in Google Documents
The methods in this post were carried out on the desktop version of Google Chrome, but they will also work in other desktop browsers such as Safari or Firefox.
Please keep in mind that this instruction will only modify the default font used for normal text. If you wish to change the default font for titles or headers, pick that text type from the toolbar’s dropdown menu and repeat these steps.
- Log in to Google Drive and start a new document or open an existing one.
- Enter text into the document and then select it.
- In the toolbar, click the Font dropdown menu and select the desired font.
- At the top of the window, click the Format tab.
- Choose the Paragraph styles menu item.
- Choose Update normal text to match after clicking the Normal text option.
- Return to the Format tab.
- Choose the Paragraph styles option again.
- At the bottom of the menu, select Options, then Save as my default styles.
When you start a new document, the default font that you just chose will be used.
Keep in mind that the option you click is “Save as my default styles.”
This means that any modifications you make to the following styles will be preserved as your defaults as well:
- Normal text
- Title
- Subtitle
- Heading 1
- Heading 2
- Heading 3
- Heading 4
- Heading 5
- Heading 6
Thus, if you’ve been making a lot of format changes in this document and don’t want to utilize them all, you might be better off changing your defaults in a different document.
This update will have no effect on current documents. It only applies to newly created documents.
If the default font doesn’t stick
- Old documents still use the old font. Saving default styles only affects new documents. In an existing document, select Format > Paragraph styles > Options > Use my default styles.
- New documents still open in Arial. Make sure you selected Save as my default styles after updating Normal text, and that you’re signed in to the same Google account.
- Some text doesn’t change. Text pasted from other places can carry its own formatting. Select it and press Ctrl + \ to clear formatting.
- Templates use a different font. Template documents come with their own styles. Apply your defaults with Use my default styles.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make the default font size bigger too?
Yes. Change the size of your Normal text before you select Update Normal text to match, then save your default styles. Both the font and size become the new default.
Does this change the default font for other people?
No. Default styles belong to your Google account. People you share documents with see the fonts the document uses, but their own new documents aren’t affected.
Can I add more fonts to the list?
Yes. Open the font menu and select More fonts at the top. Pick any Google font to add it to your list.
If older text keeps its original look, clearing formatting in Google Docs is the next thing to try.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.