How to Change Font Size in AutoCAD (for Windows and Mac)

Changing font size in AutoCAD can vary depending on the platform you’re using—Windows or Mac—as well as whether you’re working with regular text, dimensions, or annotations. Below are detailed steps for both versions, along with tips to help streamline the process.

How to Change Font Size in AutoCAD (for Windows and Mac)

1. Using the Text Editor (for single-line and multi-line text)

• For Windows:
  1. Select the text you want to change.
  2. Right-click and choose Properties.
  3. In the Properties palette, locate the Text section.
  4. Find the Text Height field and enter the desired size (measured in drawing units).
• For Mac:
  1. Select the text and open the Properties palette. On Mac, you may need to go to the Inspector by selecting Window > Properties Inspector.
  2. In the Text section of the Properties Inspector, change the Text Height.
• Pro Tip (both versions): If you need to apply the same size to multiple text objects, use the Match Properties tool (Windows: MATCHPROP, Mac: available in the Modify menu) to standardize text sizes quickly.

2. Using Text Styles for Consistent Formatting

Text styles allow you to maintain consistent formatting across your drawings. Here’s how to modify text styles:

• For Windows:
  1. Type ST in the command line to open the Text Style Manager.
  2. Select or create a text style and set the desired Text Height.
  3. Click Apply or Set Current to activate the style.
• For Mac:
  1. From the menu bar, select Format > Text Style.
  2. Select an existing style or create a new one.
  3. Set the Text Height. If you want to set the text height when you place the text, leave this value at 0.
  4. Click Apply to confirm.
• Pro Tip (both versions): Always use consistent text styles across your projects to ensure a unified appearance. If switching between different styles, ensure the height is set correctly to avoid inconsistencies.

3. Adjusting Dimension and Leader Text Size

Dimension and leader text height is controlled by the dimension or leader style. Follow these steps to change text height:

• For Individual Dimensions or Leaders (Windows and Mac):
  1. Select the dimension or leader.
  2. Open the Properties palette or Properties Inspector.
  3. Change the Text Height field to your desired value.
• For All Dimensions in the Drawing:
  • For Windows:
    1. Type DIMSTYLE in the command line or go to the Annotate tab, then select Manage Dimension Styles.
    2. Select the dimension style and click Modify.
    3. In the Text tab, adjust the Text Height.
  • For Mac:
    1. Go to Format > Dimension Style.
    2. Select the desired dimension style and click Modify.
    3. In the Text tab, set the Text Height to your preferred value.
• Pro Tip (both versions): Ensure that your dimension style text height is correctly set. If the text size doesn’t change, check both the text style and dimension style settings, as one might be overriding the other.

4. Modifying Annotative Text

Annotative text allows text to automatically scale according to your drawing scale. Here’s how to set it up:

• For Windows:
  1. Open the Text Style Manager using the ST command.
  2. Enable the Annotative property.
  3. Set the desired text height and apply the appropriate annotation scale.
• For Mac:
  1. Open the Text Style Manager from Format > Text Style.
  2. In the text style options, enable Annotative.
  3. Set the text height and annotation scale according to your needs.
• Pro Tip (both versions): Annotative text is ideal for projects that require multiple scale views. This feature prevents you from manually adjusting text sizes across different scales.

5. Changing Font Size in Toolbars and Ribbon (AutoCAD Interface)

While AutoCAD on Windows has a ribbon interface, Mac uses palettes and menus. Here’s how to adjust the text size in these areas:

• For Windows:
  1. Type OPTIONS in the command line.
  2. Go to the Display tab.
  3. Under Window Elements, adjust settings like Use large buttons for toolbars and Resize ribbon icons to standard sizes.
• For Mac:
  1. You can’t adjust ribbon size (as there is no ribbon), but you can modify the size of palette icons through macOS settings.
  2. Go to System Preferences > Displays, and adjust the resolution or scale for larger interface elements.
• Pro Tip (both versions): Adjust your operating system’s display settings for better interface scaling. On Windows, you can also use the Ease of Access settings, while Mac has accessibility options in System Preferences.

6. Batch Editing Text Height Across Multiple Drawings

If you need to modify text sizes across multiple drawings (e.g., in large projects), follow these steps:

• For Windows:
  1. Make sure the Menu Bar is visible.
  2. Go to Format > Text Style and adjust the font or size.
  3. Use Zoom Extents to select all objects, then modify text sizes in the Properties palette.
• For Mac:
  1. From the Format menu, adjust text styles for global changes.
  2. Use the Inspector to select all text or Mtext objects and modify their properties simultaneously.

Tips for Changing Font Size in AutoCAD (Windows and Mac)

1. Use Annotative Text for Multi-Scale Drawings:
   Annotative text automatically adjusts for different scales. If you work with various scale views, this feature can save a lot of manual adjustments.
2. Keep Text Styles Consistent:
   When working on large projects or collaborating with others, maintaining consistent text styles across drawings ensures a professional and uniform appearance.
3. Batch Processing for Efficiency:
   For large projects with many text elements, use batch processing tools or project-wide utilities to modify text size or font globally. This reduces manual work and potential errors.
4. Monitor Resolution Matters:
   Whether on Windows or Mac, the display settings for your monitor can affect how text and icons appear in AutoCAD. Ensure you are using the optimal resolution for your screen size to avoid visual issues.
5. Mac Users:
   Explore the floating palettes and menus on AutoCAD Mac. These offer flexibility and can be resized for better visibility, especially when working with text-heavy drawings.

By following these steps and tips, you can efficiently change the font size in AutoCAD, regardless of whether you’re using the Windows or Mac version. Keep in mind that while the core functionality remains the same, the interface and some commands may differ slightly between the two platforms.