In the new Outlook for Windows, select View > View settings > Mail > Layout, choose Large under Text size and spacing, and select Save. To make one email easier to read, use View > Zoom. To make Outlook and every other app bigger, raise the Windows Text size in Settings.
Applies to: New Outlook and classic Outlook on Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 29, 2026.
Make the message list bigger in new Outlook
- Open Outlook and select View at the top.
- Select View settings.
- Select Mail, then Layout.
- Under Text size and spacing, select Large.
- Select Save.
The folder list and message list now use bigger text.
Zoom in on one email
- Open the email in the reading pane.
- Select View > Zoom.
- Use + or – to pick a size from 50% to 200%.
The zoom only applies to the email you’re reading. The next email opens at the normal size. If Zoom is gray, select an email first.
Classic Outlook
- Message list: Select View > View Settings > Other Settings. Use Row Font for the messages and Column Font for headings like From and Subject.
- Reading pane: Drag the zoom slider in the bottom-right corner of the window.
Make everything bigger in Windows
If menus and buttons are still too small, change the text size for all of Windows.
- Select Start > Settings > Accessibility > Text size.
- Drag the Text size slider to the right until the preview is easy to read.
- Select Apply.
To make everything bigger, not just text, use Settings > System > Display > Scale. If the screen looks wrong afterward, see how to reset display settings in Windows 11.
Zoom in for a moment with Magnifier
To blow up part of the screen without changing any settings, press Windows key + Plus (+) to turn on Magnifier. Press it again to zoom further, Windows key + Minus (-) to zoom out, and Windows key + Esc to turn it off.
Magnifier works in every version of Outlook and in any other app, which makes it handy for small attachments or images inside an email.
Keep the zoom for every email in classic Outlook
In classic Outlook, select the percentage next to the zoom slider at the bottom right. Pick a size, check Remember my preference, and select OK. Every email you open in the reading pane then uses that size. You can also hold Ctrl and scroll the mouse wheel over an email to zoom quickly.
Make the text bigger when you write
- New Outlook: select Settings (the gear) > Mail > Compose and reply. Under Message format, pick a bigger default font size and select Save.
- Classic Outlook: select File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts, then select Font under New mail messages.
This changes what people receive too, so a size around 12 to 14 points is a good balance.
Get more room on the screen
- Hide the folder pane: in new Outlook, select the three lines at the top left. In classic Outlook, select View > Folder Pane > Minimized.
- Collapse the ribbon: press Ctrl + F1 in classic Outlook, or switch new Outlook to the simplified ribbon.
- Turn off the reading pane: select View > Reading Pane > Off and double-click emails to open them full size.
If Outlook looks blurry or tiny on a second screen
Classic Outlook can look fuzzy or shrunk when you move it between monitors with different scaling. Go to File > Options > General and, under User Interface options, choose Optimize for best appearance. Restart Outlook.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make the Outlook window fill the screen?
Select the Maximize button (the square) in the top-right corner, or press Windows key + Up arrow.
Can I make the text bigger while I write?
Yes. In a new message, select the text and choose a bigger size from the font size box. To make your sign-off stand out too, see how to add a signature in Outlook.
Does this change Outlook on my phone?
No. Text size settings stay on the PC. The Outlook phone app follows your phone’s own text size setting, and Outlook on the web has its own Text size and spacing option under Settings > Mail > Layout.
How do I undo all of this?
Set Text size and spacing back to Medium in new Outlook, or select View > Reset View in classic Outlook.
To fix a message you already sent, see how to edit a sent email in Outlook.
Microsoft’s reference is Change the font or font size in the message list. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
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.