How to Modify Text Size in Internet Explorer

You're not stuck with the browser's default text size

By
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Writer
Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified.
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Updated on June 16, 2022

What to Know

  • Easiest method: In the command toolbar, select Page > Text Size > select text size.
  • Or go to Settings > Internet Options > Accessibility > Ignore font sizes specified on web pages.
  • Shortcut to increase text: Ctrl+ on Windows, or Cmd+ on Mac. Decrease: Ctrl- on Windows, or Cmd- on Mac.

This article explains how to modify text size in Internet Explorer 11.0.

Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer and recommends that you update to the newer Edge browser. Head to their site to download the newest version.

Changing the Default Text Size

Use the menus to change the default size so that every browser session reflects the new size. Two toolbars provide text size settings: the command bar and the menu bar. The command bar is visible by default, while the menu bar is hidden by default.

Using the Command Toolbar

The easiest way to change text size is using the Internet Explorer command toolbar:

  1. Select the Page drop-down menu on the command toolbar.

    A screenshot of Internet Explorer with the Page menu highlighted

  2. Then select the Text Size option.

    A screenshot of Internet Explorer with the Text Size menu option highlighted

  3. Choose from Largest, Larger, Medium (default), Smaller, or Smallest. The current selection displays a black dot.

    A screenshot of Internet Explorer with the Text Size options highlighted

Using the Menu Toolbar

Alternatively, use the Internet Explorer menu toolbar:

  1. Open Internet Explorer and press Alt to display the menu toolbar.

  2. Select View from the menu toolbar.

    A screenshot of Internet Explorer with the View menu highlighted

  3. Choose Text Size.

    A screenshot of Internet Explorer with the Text Size option under the View menu highlighted

  4. The same options appear here as on the Page menu.

    A screenshot of Internet Explorer with the Text Size options highlighted

Using Accessibility Options to Control Text Size

Some web pages have explicitly fixed the size of text, so the methods above don't work to change it. Internet Explorer provides a range of accessibility options that can override a web page's settings. If you try the methods here and your text is unchanged, use Internet Explorer's accessibility options.

  1. Open Settings by selecting the gear icon to the right of the browser.

    A screenshot of Internet Explorer with the Settings gear highlighted

  2. Choose Internet Options to open an options dialog.

    A screenshot of Internet Explorer's settings menu with Internet Options highlighted

  3. Select Accessibility near the bottom of the window to open an Accessibility dialog.

    A screenshot of Internet Explorer's Internet Options window with the Accessibility button highlighted

  4. Tick the checkbox Ignore font sizes specified on web pages, then press OK.

    A screenshot of Internet Explorer's Accessibility window with the "Ignore font sizes" option highlighted

  5. Exit the options menu and return to your browser.

Temporarily Change Text Size Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Most browsers, including Internet Explorer, support common keyboard shortcuts to increase or decrease the size of the text. These affect the current browser session only, in fact, if you open another tab in the browser, the text in that tab reverts to the default size.

  • To increase text size: Press Ctrl + (the plus sign) on Windows, or Cmd + on a Mac.
  • To decrease text size: Press Ctrl - (the minus sign) on Windows, or Cmd - on a Mac.

Note that these keyboard shortcuts actually zoom in or out, rather than increasing only the text size. This means that they increase the size not only of text but also images and other page elements.

Zoom In or Out 

A zoom option is available in the same menus that have a text size option, i.e. the Page menu on the command toolbar and the View menu on the menu toolbar. This option is the same as using the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + and Ctrl - (or Cmd + and Cmd - on a Mac).

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