Internet, Networking, & Security > Browsers How to Modify Text Size in Internet Explorer You're not stuck with the browser's default text size By Scott Orgera Scott Orgera Facebook Twitter 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. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 16, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Browsers Microsoft Chrome Safari Firefox 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: Select the Page drop-down menu on the command toolbar. Then select the Text Size option. Choose from Largest, Larger, Medium (default), Smaller, or Smallest. The current selection displays a black dot. Using the Menu Toolbar Alternatively, use the Internet Explorer menu toolbar: Open Internet Explorer and press Alt to display the menu toolbar. Select View from the menu toolbar. Choose Text Size. The same options appear here as on the Page menu. 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. Open Settings by selecting the gear icon to the right of the browser. Choose Internet Options to open an options dialog. Select Accessibility near the bottom of the window to open an Accessibility dialog. Tick the checkbox Ignore font sizes specified on web pages, then press OK. 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). Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit