Google Docs lets you make a particular font, size, and other normal-text formatting the default for new text in a document. You do this by formatting a sample paragraph, updating the Normal text style, and then saving those styles as your defaults.
Set a default font in Google Docs
- Open a Google Docs document.
- Type or select a normal paragraph.
- Choose the font, size, color, and other formatting you want for ordinary body text.
- Open the styles menu on the toolbar, point to Normal text, and choose Update ‘Normal text’ to match.
- Open the styles menu again and choose Options > Save as my default styles.
Update headings separately
Changing Normal text does not necessarily give Heading 1, Heading 2, and other paragraph styles the appearance you want. Format a heading, update that heading style to match, and then save the style set again if you want a consistent document hierarchy.
Existing documents may not change automatically
Saving default styles primarily affects your default style set and future formatting behavior. Existing text with direct formatting or custom styles can retain its current appearance. Select the affected text and apply the appropriate paragraph style if you want it to use the new definition.
Use styles instead of formatting every paragraph
Styles make long documents easier to maintain because you can change a style definition rather than editing dozens of paragraphs individually. They also help Google Docs understand document structure, which improves navigation and accessibility when headings are used correctly.
If you are working from an organization template, do not overwrite its typography simply to match your personal default. Follow the template or brand requirements for that document.
Apply your default to an existing document
Older documents keep their own styles. To bring one in line with your new default:
- Open the document.
- Click the styles menu (it usually shows “Normal text”) on the toolbar.
- Choose Options > Use my default styles.
Text that has its own manual formatting may still look different. To change everything at once, see how to change the font for a whole document in Google Docs.
Add more fonts to choose from
- Click the font name on the toolbar.
- Choose More fonts.
- Search for a font, click it to add it to your list, and click OK.
Added fonts appear in your font menu in every document, so you can then make one your default.
Reset to the original Google Docs styles
If you want to go back to Arial 11, open the styles menu and choose Options > Reset styles, then Options > Save as my default styles.
Useful tips
- Use a computer. Saving default styles is done in Google Docs on the web. The mobile apps don’t offer this option.
- Set the size too. The default style includes size and color, not just the font. Our guide to changing font size in Google Docs can help you pick one.
- Templates are another option. If you need different defaults for different kinds of documents, make a template document for each and copy it when you start something new.
- Using Word too? See how to change the default font in Microsoft Word.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my new document still open in Arial?
Make sure you chose Save as my default styles after updating Normal text, and that you’re signed in with the same Google account.
Does this change the font for people I share with?
No. Default styles apply to documents you create. Shared documents keep the styles they were made with.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.