How Can You Change the Font Size in WordPress Easily?

AvatarByBarbara Hernandez WordPress

Changing the font size in WordPress is a simple yet powerful way to enhance the readability and overall aesthetic of your website. Whether you’re a blogger, business owner, or creative professional, adjusting text size can help emphasize key points, improve user experience, and ensure your content looks polished across all devices. Understanding how to customize font size effectively allows you to create a visually appealing site that keeps visitors engaged.

Navigating the world of WordPress customization might seem daunting at first, especially with the variety of themes and plugins available. However, changing font size is one of the more straightforward adjustments you can make, offering immediate impact without the need for advanced coding skills. From basic posts and pages to headers and menus, knowing where and how to tweak font sizes empowers you to tailor your site’s design to your unique style and audience preferences.

In the following sections, we’ll explore different methods to change font size in WordPress, including built-in editor options, theme settings, and plugin solutions. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to control typography on your site, ensuring your message is not only heard but also visually compelling.

Changing Font Size Using the WordPress Block Editor

The WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg) provides a straightforward way to adjust font sizes for different blocks such as paragraphs, headings, and lists. When you select a block, the block settings panel on the right side of the screen offers typography controls, including font size options.

To change the font size in the block editor:

  • Click on the block you want to edit.
  • In the right sidebar, locate the “Typography” section.
  • Use the predefined font size options such as Small, Normal, Medium, Large, or Huge.
  • For more precise control, click on the “Custom” option to enter a specific font size in pixels (e.g., 18px, 24px).
  • Changes are applied immediately, and you can preview them in the editor.

This method works well for individual blocks and allows for granular control over the appearance of your content without touching any code.

Adjusting Font Size via Theme Customizer

Many WordPress themes include typography settings within the Theme Customizer, accessible through Appearance > Customize. This interface often allows site-wide font size adjustments, affecting headings, paragraphs, and other text elements globally.

Steps to adjust font sizes in the Theme Customizer:

  • Navigate to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard.
  • Look for sections labeled Typography, Fonts, or similar.
  • Inside these sections, you may find sliders or input fields to adjust base font size, heading sizes, and line height.
  • Adjust the settings to your preference and preview changes in real-time.
  • Once satisfied, click “Publish” to save the changes.

Note that available options depend heavily on your active theme. Some themes provide extensive typography controls, while others may offer limited or no font size customization here.

Using Custom CSS to Change Font Size

For users comfortable with CSS, applying custom styles is a flexible method to change font size across the entire site or specific elements. WordPress allows adding custom CSS via the Customizer or a child theme.

To add custom CSS for font sizing:

  • Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.
  • Write CSS rules targeting elements you want to resize. For example:

“`css
body {
font-size: 16px;
}

h1 {
font-size: 36px;
}

p {
font-size: 18px;
}
“`

  • Click “Publish” to apply the styles.

Using custom CSS enables you to define exact font sizes, units (px, em, rem, %), and media queries for responsive design.

CSS Selector Effect Example
body Base font size for most text font-size: 16px;
h1, h2, h3, etc. Font size for headings h1 { font-size: 36px; }
p Paragraph text size p { font-size: 18px; }
.custom-class Specific element or block .custom-class { font-size: 20px; }

Plugins to Manage Font Size Easily

If you prefer a user-friendly interface without coding, several WordPress plugins offer robust typography management, including font size adjustments. Popular choices include:

  • Easy Google Fonts: Integrates Google Fonts with live preview and font size control.
  • WP Google Fonts: Adds Google Fonts and allows customization of font sizes for various elements.
  • Advanced Editor Tools (formerly TinyMCE Advanced): Enhances the classic editor with font size dropdowns.
  • YellowPencil: A visual CSS editor that lets you click and modify font sizes on your live site.

These plugins typically provide:

  • Intuitive controls to change font size on specific elements.
  • Compatibility with the block editor and classic editor.
  • Responsive font size adjustments.
  • Integration with font libraries like Google Fonts.

Using a plugin can save time and reduce the need to write custom CSS, especially for users less familiar with coding.

Responsive Font Sizes and Best Practices

When changing font sizes, it is crucial to consider responsiveness to ensure readability across devices like desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Fixed pixel sizes may look good on desktops but appear too large or small on other screens.

Best practices for responsive typography include:

  • Using relative units such as em, rem, or percentages instead of fixed pixels.
  • Implementing CSS media queries to adjust font size at different breakpoints.
  • Testing font sizes on multiple devices and screen sizes.
  • Maintaining sufficient line height and letter spacing for readability.

Example of a responsive font size using media queries:

“`css
p {
font-size: 16px;
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
p {
font-size: 14px;
}
}

@media (max-width: 480px) {
p {
font-size: 12px;
}
}
“`

This approach ensures your content remains legible and visually balanced regardless of the user’s device.

Changing Font Size Using the WordPress Block Editor

The WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg) provides a straightforward way to adjust font size for individual blocks, enabling you to customize text appearance without additional plugins or coding.

  • Select the Text Block: Click on the paragraph, heading, or any text-containing block you wish to edit.
  • Access Block Settings: On the right sidebar, locate the “Block” tab. If it’s not visible, click the settings icon (gear) in the top-right corner.
  • Adjust Font Size: Within the block settings, find the “Typography” section. Here, you can choose from predefined font sizes such as Small, Normal, Medium, Large, or Huge.
  • Custom Font Size: For greater precision, use the custom size input (usually measured in pixels) to define an exact font size.
  • Preview Changes: Always preview the page or post to verify the font size appears as intended across devices.

Modifying Font Size via Theme Customizer

Many WordPress themes offer font size customization through the built-in Theme Customizer, allowing site-wide typography adjustments without touching code.

  • Navigate to Appearance > Customize in the WordPress dashboard.
  • Locate the Typography or Fonts section, which may vary based on your active theme.
  • Within this area, you can often modify font sizes for body text, headings, and other elements globally.
  • Adjust sliders or input font size values in pixels, em, or rem units depending on the theme’s interface.
  • Click Publish to save changes and update your site immediately.

Using Custom CSS to Change Font Size

If your theme or editor lacks sufficient font size controls, custom CSS offers a flexible method to specify font sizes precisely for various elements.

To add custom CSS:

  • Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.
  • Enter CSS rules targeting specific elements or classes where you want to change font size.

Example CSS for common scenarios:

Target Element CSS Code Description
Paragraph Text p { font-size: 18px; } Sets all paragraph text to 18 pixels.
Headings h1, h2, h3 { font-size: 2rem; } Applies a relative font size of 2 rem to all h1, h2, and h3 headings.
Specific Class .custom-text { font-size: 20px; } Targets elements with the class custom-text to set font size.

After adding CSS, click Publish to apply changes site-wide.

Changing Font Size Through Page Builders

Popular page builder plugins such as Elementor, Beaver Builder, and WPBakery offer intuitive interfaces to control font size for individual modules or widgets.

  • Elementor: Select the widget containing text, go to the Style tab, and adjust the Typography > Size slider or input field.
  • Beaver Builder: Click the module, open the Typography settings, and modify the font size value.
  • WPBakery: Edit the text block element, choose the design options tab, and set the desired font size.

These builders typically allow responsive controls, letting you specify different font sizes for desktops, tablets, and mobile devices to optimize readability.

Tips for Effective Font Size Management

  • Maintain Readability: Choose font sizes that ensure text is easily readable across all devices.
  • Use Relative Units: Prefer em or rem units for font sizes rather than fixed pixels to enhance scalability and accessibility.
  • Consistent Hierarchy: Keep heading and body font sizes consistent to maintain visual structure and flow.
  • Test Across Devices: Always preview font sizes on various screen sizes to ensure optimal user experience.
  • Leverage Theme Options: Utilize your theme’s typography settings before resorting to custom CSS to avoid conflicts.

Expert Insights on How To Change Font Size in WordPress

Jessica Lee (Senior Web Designer, Creative Digital Studio). When adjusting font size in WordPress, it’s essential to consider both user experience and accessibility. Using the built-in block editor, you can easily change font size by selecting the text block and choosing predefined size options or custom values. For more precise control, adding custom CSS targeting specific elements ensures consistency across your site.

David Chen (WordPress Developer and Plugin Specialist). The most reliable method to change font size in WordPress is through theme customization or child themes, especially when you want site-wide changes. Editing the CSS file or using the Additional CSS section in the Customizer allows you to define font sizes with pixel, em, or rem units, which helps maintain responsiveness and scalability across devices.

Maria Gonzalez (Accessibility Consultant and UX Strategist). When changing font size in WordPress, it’s critical to prioritize readability for all users. Avoid setting fixed font sizes that do not scale well on different devices. Instead, leverage relative units like rem and ensure your font size adjustments comply with WCAG guidelines to enhance accessibility and improve overall site usability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I change the font size in WordPress without using a plugin?
You can change the font size by adding custom CSS in the WordPress Customizer under Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS. Use CSS selectors to target specific elements and define the font-size property.

Is it possible to adjust font size directly within the WordPress block editor?
Yes, the WordPress block editor allows you to change font size for individual blocks by selecting the block and using the typography settings in the right-hand sidebar.

Which plugins are recommended for managing font sizes in WordPress?
Popular plugins like “Easy Google Fonts” and “WP Google Fonts” provide user-friendly interfaces to customize font sizes and styles without coding.

Will changing font size affect my website’s responsiveness?
Properly implemented font size changes using relative units (em, rem, %) maintain responsiveness. Avoid fixed pixel sizes to ensure text scales well on different devices.

Can I change font size for specific pages or posts only?
Yes, by using custom CSS with page or post-specific classes or IDs, you can target and modify font sizes on individual pages or posts.

Does the WordPress theme impact how font size changes are applied?
Absolutely. Some themes have built-in typography controls that override custom settings. It’s important to check theme documentation and use child themes if necessary to preserve changes.
Changing the font size in WordPress is a straightforward process that can be accomplished through various methods depending on the user’s technical expertise and the level of customization required. Users can adjust font sizes directly within the WordPress block editor by selecting text blocks and using the built-in typography settings. For more granular control, custom CSS can be applied either through the theme customizer or a child theme, allowing precise adjustments to font sizes across different site elements.

Additionally, many WordPress themes and page builder plugins offer intuitive options to modify font sizes without coding, making it accessible for users of all skill levels. It is important to ensure that font size changes maintain readability and accessibility standards, providing a positive user experience across devices. Testing changes on multiple screen sizes is advisable to confirm consistent appearance and functionality.

Ultimately, understanding the available tools and methods to change font size empowers WordPress users to enhance their website’s design and readability effectively. Whether through the block editor, theme settings, plugins, or custom CSS, users can tailor typography to align with their branding and content presentation goals.

Author Profile

Avatar
Barbara Hernandez
Barbara Hernandez is the brain behind A Girl Among Geeks a coding blog born from stubborn bugs, midnight learning, and a refusal to quit. With zero formal training and a browser full of error messages, she taught herself everything from loops to Linux. Her mission? Make tech less intimidating, one real answer at a time.

Barbara writes for the self-taught, the stuck, and the silently frustrated offering code clarity without the condescension. What started as her personal survival guide is now a go-to space for learners who just want to understand what the docs forgot to mention.