How to Change Font Size in WordPress: A Simple Guide for Beginners

If you want to customize the look of your WordPress website, adjusting the font size is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve readability and user experience. Whether you want to increase the font size for headings, body text, or other elements, this guide will walk you through the simple steps to do it, even if you have little technical experience.

Why Change Font Size in WordPress?

Changing the font size on your website can drastically impact how users interact with your content. Here are a few reasons why you might want to change font size:

  1. Improve Readability: Larger fonts make it easier for visitors to read your content, especially on mobile devices.
  2. Enhance Visual Appeal: Well-sized fonts can help create a more aesthetically pleasing layout.
  3. Align with Branding: Customizing font size can align the typography with your brand’s visual identity.
  4. Better User Experience: Adjusting the font size can make your website more user-friendly, especially for visitors with visual impairments.

Methods to Change Font Size in WordPress

There are several ways you can change the font size in WordPress, from using the built-in WordPress editor to adding custom CSS. Let’s explore these options:

1. Change Font Size Using the WordPress Block Editor

If you’re using the block editor (Gutenberg), adjusting the font size is a breeze.

  • Step 1: Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  • Step 2: Open the page or post where you want to adjust the font size.
  • Step 3: Select the text block (paragraph, heading, etc.) you want to change.
  • Step 4: In the right-hand panel, under the “Block” tab, look for the “Typography” section.
  • Step 5: Adjust the font size slider to your preferred size or enter a custom size (in pixels, ems, or rems).
  • Step 6: Save or update the page.

This method allows you to adjust the font size for specific blocks of text, giving you full control over the appearance of individual elements.

2. Change Font Size Using the WordPress Customizer

If you want to globally change font sizes across your WordPress site, the WordPress Customizer can help. This method is useful if you’re aiming for consistency in font sizes throughout your website.

  • Step 1: From your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Customize.
  • Step 2: Navigate to Typography or Additional CSS (depending on your theme).
  • Step 3: Look for settings related to font size. Some themes offer easy-to-use sliders for adjusting font sizes for headings, paragraphs, and other text elements.
  • Step 4: Save changes once you’re happy with the new font sizes.

This method works best for users who want a consistent look for their entire site. However, some themes might not include detailed typography options, so you may need to use custom CSS (explained below).

3. Change Font Size Using Custom CSS

For more advanced users, adding custom CSS gives you the power to change font sizes for specific elements across your site. Here’s how you can do it:

  • Step 1: Go to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard.
  • Step 2: Click on Additional CSS.
  • Step 3: Enter the CSS code to change the font size. For example:
    h1 {
        font-size: 36px;
    }
    p {
        font-size: 18px;
    }
    

    This will adjust the font size of your headings (h1) to 36px and paragraphs (p) to 18px.

  • Step 4: Click Publish to apply the changes.

Custom CSS allows you to target specific HTML elements, such as headings, paragraphs, or even buttons, and control their font size across the site.

4. Use a Plugin to Change Font Size

If you’re not comfortable working with CSS, or if you want more advanced options without code, you can install a WordPress plugin designed for customizing fonts.

Popular plugins like Easy Google Fonts and WP Google Fonts allow you to change font sizes and styles without touching any code. These plugins offer user-friendly interfaces and are great for beginners.

  • Step 1: Install and activate a font plugin (e.g., Easy Google Fonts).
  • Step 2: Go to Appearance > Customize > Typography.
  • Step 3: Use the plugin’s settings to change the font size for different text elements across your site.

Plugins are a great choice if you want a simple solution and access to a variety of font styles and sizes.

Tips for Choosing the Right Font Size

When selecting the right font size for your WordPress site, consider the following best practices:

  • Maintain Readability: Avoid using fonts that are too small, as it can make content difficult to read. A good starting point for body text is 16px or 1rem.
  • Hierarchy is Key: Use larger font sizes for headings (e.g., H1: 36px, H2: 30px, H3: 24px) to create a clear content hierarchy.
  • Responsive Design: Make sure your font sizes look good on all devices. Test the font sizes on mobile and desktop to ensure readability across screen sizes.
  • Consistency: Keep your font sizes consistent across the site for a cohesive and professional look.

Conclusion

Changing the font size in WordPress is a simple yet effective way to enhance your website’s design and improve user experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, WordPress offers a variety of methods—through the block editor, customizer, custom CSS, or plugins—to help you easily adjust font sizes. Keep in mind the importance of readability and consistency when customizing fonts to make your content both appealing and user-friendly.

By following the methods above, you’ll be well on your way to creating a visually engaging WordPress site that users will love to browse.

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