This guide shows you how to change font size in WordPress using the Block Editor, Customizer, CSS, and plugins. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced user, you’ll find clear, easy-to-follow methods to adjust text size across your site.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Block Editor: Change font size directly while editing posts or pages with the built-in typography settings.
- Customize via the WordPress Customizer: Adjust global font sizes for headings and body text from the Appearance menu.
- Add Custom CSS: Gain full control over font sizes using CSS for precise styling across your site.
- Install a Font Plugin: Use plugins like Easy Google Fonts for advanced typography without coding.
- Check Theme Compatibility: Some themes limit font options—consider switching or updating your theme if needed.
- Use a Child Theme: Always make CSS changes in a child theme to avoid losing updates.
- Test on Mobile: Ensure your font sizes look good on all devices by previewing responsive layouts.
How to Change Font Size in WordPress: A Complete Guide
Changing font size in WordPress is one of the most common tasks for website owners. Whether you’re improving readability, enhancing design, or fixing accessibility issues, adjusting text size can make a big difference. The good news? WordPress offers several easy ways to do it—no coding required in most cases.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to change font size in WordPress using the built-in editor, the Customizer, custom CSS, and helpful plugins. We’ll cover everything from quick fixes to advanced techniques, so you can choose the method that works best for your site.
Method 1: Change Font Size Using the Block Editor (Gutenberg)
The WordPress Block Editor (also known as Gutenberg) makes it simple to adjust font sizes on individual blocks like paragraphs, headings, and buttons. This is the easiest method for beginners.
Visual guide about How to Change Font Size in WordPress
Image source: ryrob.com
Step 1: Open the Page or Post
Go to your WordPress dashboard, then click Posts or Pages. Select the content you want to edit, or create a new one.
Step 2: Select the Text Block
Click on the paragraph, heading, or other text block you want to modify. A toolbar will appear above the block.
Step 3: Adjust Font Size
In the block settings on the right sidebar, look for the Typography section. You’ll see a Font Size dropdown with preset options like Small, Normal, Medium, Large, and Extra Large.
Choose a preset, or click the Custom option to enter a specific size in pixels (px), ems (em), or rems (rem). For example, typing 24px will make the text 24 pixels tall.
Step 4: Preview and Publish
Use the Preview button to see how the text looks on the front end. If you’re happy with the size, click Update or Publish.
Tip: You can also use keyboard shortcuts. Select the text and press Ctrl + Shift + > (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + > (Mac) to increase size, or Ctrl + Shift + < to decrease it.
Method 2: Change Global Font Size Using the Customizer
If you want to change font sizes across your entire site—like all headings or body text—use the WordPress Customizer. This method applies changes globally, saving you time.
Step 1: Access the Customizer
From your dashboard, go to Appearance > Customize. This opens the live preview tool.
Step 2: Find Typography Settings
Look for a section called Typography, Fonts, or Global Styles. Not all themes include this, but many modern ones (like Twenty Twenty-Four or Astra) do.
If you don’t see it, your theme may not support built-in typography controls. In that case, skip to Method 3 or 4.
Step 3: Adjust Font Sizes
In the Typography section, you’ll usually find options for:
- Body text size
- Heading sizes (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
- Line height and letter spacing
Use the sliders or input fields to set your preferred sizes. For example, set H1 to 36px and body text to 18px for better readability.
Step 4: Publish Changes
Once you’re satisfied, click Publish at the top of the Customizer. Your changes will go live immediately.
Pro Tip: Always preview your site on mobile and desktop. Fonts that look great on a large screen might be too small on mobile.
Method 3: Change Font Size with Custom CSS
For full control over font sizes, use Custom CSS. This method works on any WordPress site, regardless of theme or editor.
Step 1: Open the Customizer
Go to Appearance > Customize, then click Additional CSS at the bottom of the menu.
Step 2: Add CSS Code
Enter CSS rules to target specific elements. Here are some common examples:
To change all paragraph text:
p {
font-size: 18px;
}To change H1 headings:
h1 {
font-size: 32px;
}To change font size in the sidebar:
.widget {
font-size: 16px;
}You can also use relative units like em or rem for responsive design. For example, 1.2rem is 20% larger than the base font size.
Step 3: Save and Test
Click Publish to apply the CSS. Visit your site to see the changes.
Important: Always use a child theme when making CSS changes. This prevents your customizations from being lost when the parent theme updates. If you’re not using a child theme yet, learn what is a child theme in WordPress and how to set one up.
For more advanced CSS tips, check out our guide on the best way to add CSS in WordPress.
Method 4: Use a Font Plugin for Advanced Control
If you want more typography options without coding, install a font plugin. These tools add user-friendly controls to your WordPress dashboard.
Recommended Plugin: Easy Google Fonts
This free plugin lets you customize fonts and sizes for every part of your site using a simple interface.
Step 1: Install the Plugin
Go to Plugins > Add New, search for “Easy Google Fonts”, and click Install Now, then Activate.
Step 2: Configure Font Settings
After activation, go to Appearance > Customize. You’ll now see a new Fonts section.
Here, you can select different fonts and sizes for:
- Body text
- Headings (H1–H6)
- Navigation menus
- Buttons
Adjust the font size sliders and preview the changes in real time.
Step 3: Save Your Settings
Click Publish to apply the changes site-wide.
Bonus: Easy Google Fonts also lets you add Google Fonts without editing code. This gives you access to thousands of beautiful, web-safe fonts.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, font size changes don’t appear as expected. Here’s how to fix common problems.
Font Size Not Changing?
- Clear your cache: If you use a caching plugin or CDN, clear it to see updates.
- Check for conflicting CSS: Another style rule might be overriding your changes. Use your browser’s inspector tool (right-click > Inspect) to find the active CSS.
- Theme restrictions: Some themes lock typography settings. If you can’t change fonts, consider switching to a more flexible theme. Learn how to apply a WordPress theme safely.
Text Too Small on Mobile?
Use responsive CSS to adjust sizes for smaller screens:
@media (max-width: 768px) {
body {
font-size: 16px;
}
h1 {
font-size: 28px;
}
}This ensures your site looks great on phones and tablets.
Lost Changes After Theme Update?
If your font sizes reset after updating your theme, you likely edited the parent theme directly. Always use a child theme for customizations. If you need to update your theme safely, read our guide on how to update a theme on WordPress.
Best Practices for Font Size in WordPress
Changing font size isn’t just about looks—it affects usability and SEO. Follow these tips for the best results:
- Prioritize readability: Body text should be at least 16px for easy reading.
- Use hierarchy: Make headings larger than body text (e.g., H1 = 32px, H2 = 24px).
- Stay consistent: Use the same font sizes across similar elements (all H2s should match).
- Test on real devices: Check your site on phones, tablets, and desktops.
- Avoid too many sizes: Stick to 3–4 font sizes max to keep your design clean.
Conclusion
Now you know how to change font size in WordPress using four reliable methods: the Block Editor, Customizer, Custom CSS, and plugins. Whether you’re tweaking a single paragraph or redesigning your entire site’s typography, these techniques give you the flexibility you need.
Start with the Block Editor for quick edits, use the Customizer for global changes, and dive into CSS or plugins for advanced control. And remember—always test your changes and use a child theme to protect your work.
With the right font sizes, your WordPress site will look professional, load faster, and keep visitors engaged. Happy designing!