How to Increase Font Size on Chromebook

Key takeaways:

• Chromebook doesn’t let you change just the font size—everything scales up.
• You can zoom in on websites for bigger text without changing system settings.
• Keyboard shortcuts make zooming super quick.

Ever squint at your Chromebook screen, wishing those tiny letters would chill out and get bigger? I’ve been there. The thing is, Chromebook doesn’t have a setting to bump up just the font size. But don’t worry, I’ll show you how to make everything easier to read, whether you want to scale up the whole interface or just zoom in on a web page.

Chromebook’s font size settings affect everything, not just text

So here’s the deal: Chromebook doesn’t have a way to only increase the font size. If you want bigger text, you have to scale up the whole display. That means icons, windows, buttons—everything gets larger. If you’re cool with that, here’s how you do it:

• Click the Launcher (the circle icon in the corner).
• Go to Settings.
• Head to Device > Display.
• Find the Display size or Display scaling slider.
• Slide it up—try 120% if you want a noticeable bump.

The change happens instantly. Now, all your apps, menus, and websites look bigger. It’s not just the text—so if you like more stuff on your screen, you might want to use the next trick instead.

Zoom in on websites without changing your Chromebook’s display settings

If you only want to increase the text size on a website (like Wikipedia or your favorite blog), you don’t need to mess with system settings. Just use the browser’s zoom feature:

• Open Google Chrome.
• Click the three dots in the top right.
• Find the Zoom section.
• Click the plus (+) to zoom in, minus (-) to zoom out.

You’ll see the page get bigger in real time. This only affects the site you’re on, not your whole system. And if you want to keep it fast, use keyboard shortcuts:

• Ctrl and + to zoom in
• Ctrl and – to zoom out

You can go up to 300% or even 500%, but honestly, 150% already looks huge. This is perfect for reading-heavy sites or when your eyes are just tired.

Want to tweak Chrome’s default zoom for all sites? Check out how to change Chrome default zoom settings.

What about apps and system menus?

When you use the display scaling method, all your apps and system menus get bigger. That includes settings, notifications, and any Android apps you run on your Chromebook. If you only zoom in on a website, it won’t affect your apps or system menus—just that browser tab.

If you need to make the mouse pointer easier to see too, here’s a quick link: how to change mouse cursor color on Chromebook.

Table: Quick comparison—Display scaling vs. browser zoom

Accessibility features for even more control

If you need more than just bigger text, Chromebook has a few accessibility options:

• Enable Screen Magnifier for a zoomed-in view you can move around.
• Turn on High Contrast Mode for easier reading.
• Use Dictation to have text read aloud.

You’ll find these in Settings > Advanced > Accessibility. For more on customizing your Chromebook, see how to enable dark mode on Chromebook.

Tips for reading comfort and eye health

• Adjust display brightness to reduce eye strain.
• Try Night Light mode to cut blue light in the evening. (See how to reduce blue light radiation from screen)
• If you use external monitors, scale those separately in the Display settings.

What if you use Google Docs or other web apps?

Web apps like Google Docs follow your browser’s zoom settings. So if you zoom in, your docs get bigger too. For permanent changes, you can also tweak the zoom in the app’s own settings menu.

Bonus: Make your Chromebook even more readable

• Change your wallpaper to a solid color for less distraction (how to change background on Chromebook).
• Use dark mode for less glare (how to enable dark mode Chromebook).
• Pin your most-used apps to the shelf for quick access (how to pin apps to Chromebook taskbar).

FAQs

How do I only change the font size on my Chromebook?

You can’t change just the font size—Chromebook scales everything together. For websites, use browser zoom.

What’s the fastest way to zoom in on a website?

Hit Ctrl and + to zoom in, Ctrl and – to zoom out. Super quick.

Does changing display scaling slow down my Chromebook?

Nope, it’s just a visual change. Performance stays the same.

Can I set different zoom levels for different tabs?

Yes, Chrome remembers your zoom level per site or tab.

Where do I find more accessibility options?

Go to Settings > Advanced > Accessibility for more features like screen magnifier and high contrast.

👓 That’s it—bigger text, less squinting, and a Chromebook that’s way easier on your eyes.