how to change default font in google docs

How to Change the Default Font in Google Docs‍

Google Docs is one of the most widely-used word processing applications on the internet. It offers a range of features, is incredibly simple to use, and is completely free.

If you're a heavy user of Google Docs, you're probably well aware that the default font in Google Docs is Arial. It's also set at size 11 and has a line spacing of 1.15.

Arial is good for most of the professional use-cases that Google Docs is typically used for - like drafting letters, making lists of things, or creating guideline documents. But for some use-cases, Arial might not be the best font to go with, as it can be a bit too drab and ordinary-looking.

change default font in google docs

Google Docs, like any typical word processor, allows you to easily change the font while working on your document. But if you plan to use a different font multiple times, it can get cumbersome changing the font every time you open a new document.

Hence, it makes sense to change the default font in Google Docs once, to suit your liking and save precious time. You can always play around with different default font styles once you know how to do it.

Table of Contents

Top Reasons to Change the Default Font in Google Docs
How to Change Default Font in Google Docs: Step-by-Step Guide
FAQs: How to Change the Default Font in Google Docs

Top Reasons to Change the Default Font in Google Docs

There are several reasons why you might need or want to change the default font in Google Docs, such as:

Standardization: Your organization might require you to use a particular font style for all documents for standardization purposes.
Branding: For sharing Google Docs documents with others outside the organization, you need to make sure that you use a font that matches your organization's branding.
Personal touch: Changing the default font gives all your Google Docs documents a 'personal touch'. Moreover, Google offers so many fonts that are great-looking and free to use.
Stand out: Not many people change the font when they use Google Docs, so you can stand out among the crowd if you use a different font. This becomes especially important for job applications - you can get noticed by creating an out-of-the-ordinary resume.

So, interested to know how to change the default font in Google Docs? Follow this simple step-by-step guide.

How to Change Default Font in Google Docs: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1. Open a Google Docs document (You can also use a document that you've already created).

Quick Tip: If you want to open a new Google Docs document, just open a new tab in your browser and type 'docs.new' in the address bar, and hit 'Enter'.

change default font in google docs

As seen, this Google Doc has the default font set as Arial, with size 11, and line spacing 1.15.

Step 2. Select the text and set the font format and style that you want. You can change the font, font size, and line spacing, and many more.

(Note: If you're opening a new Google Docs document, just set the font style on the empty text).

change default font in google docs

In the above example, the font has been changed to Merriweather, with font size as 12, and line spacing as 1.5.

Step 3. Select a few lines of text in the new style by dragging it with the cursor.

change default font in google docs

Step 4. Click on 'Format' → 'Paragraph Styles' → 'Normal Text'. Select 'Update Normal Text to Match'.

change default font in google docs

Step 5. Click on 'Format' → 'Paragraph Styles' → 'Options'. Select 'Save As My Default Styles'.

change default font in google docs

That's it, your new font settings have been set as default. From now on, whenever you open a new Google Docs document, it will automatically contain the new style that you set.

Try it out. Open a new document:

change default font in google docs

...And you'll see that your new font settings will be the default.

change default font in google docs

FAQs: How to Change the Default Font in Google Docs

How to reset the default font on Google Docs?

If you want to reset the default font to the Google Docs original font, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open a new or existing Google Docs document.

Step 2. Click on 'Format' → 'Paragraph Styles' → 'Options' → 'Reset styles'.

change default font in google docs

You should receive a confirmation box stating that the default style for that document has been reset.

change default font in google docs

Step 3. Next, just follow Step 5 of the previous section. I.e., Click on 'Format' → 'Paragraph Styles' → 'Options'. Select 'Save As My Default Styles'.

change default font in google docs

The default font style and settings have now been reset to the Google Docs original.

Is it possible to change the default font in Google Docs mobile version?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to change the default font in the mobile app versions (iOS/ Android) of Google Docs. It is only possible to change in via the web-based app on PC.

However, your chosen default font will load even on the mobile version of Google Docs.