Discord is among the most popular chat applications today, connecting gamers, communities, and teams around the globe. While its interface is intuitive by default, users often want to customize elements like font size to suit their personal preferences. Whether you’re managing multiple servers or just chatting with friends, adjusting the text size can enhance readability and reduce eye strain.
TLDR: If you want to make text smaller in Discord, go to the user settings. On the desktop app, find the ‘Appearance’ tab under ‘App Settings’; on mobile, head to ‘Appearance’ in user settings as well. You can adjust text size by modifying the ‘Chat Font Scaling’ slider. Other aspects such as spacing and zoom levels can also affect how small or large text appears.
Changing Text Size in Discord on Desktop
On the desktop version of Discord (Windows, macOS, or a web browser), there’s a dedicated section in the settings menu that allows users to change how text appears in chat windows, member lists, and sidebars. Here’s how to make the text smaller:
- Open the Discord app and log in to your account.
- Click on the Gear icon in the bottom-left corner, next to your username. This opens User Settings.
- In the left-hand menu, scroll down to the ‘App Settings’ section and click on ‘Appearance’.
- Under the ‘Chat Font Scaling’ area, slide the selector to the left to reduce text size. The range usually starts at 12px and goes up to 24px.
You’ll notice the slider immediately updates your view in real-time, giving you instant feedback so you can find the perfect font size.
Other Useful Appearance Controls
Discord also gives users a few other settings that may affect text display. These include:
- Space Between Message Groups: Adjusts padding between different people’s messages. Smaller spacing makes the text seem more compact.
- Zoom Level: If you’re on desktop, use Ctrl + - (or Cmd + - on Mac) to zoom out and make all interface elements smaller, including text. This method changes the overall scale of Discord, not just in chat messages.
These appearance tweaks can be important, especially during long Discord sessions where readability is key.
How to Make Text Smaller in Discord on Mobile (Android & iOS)
On mobile devices, the method to adjust text size in Discord is a bit different. Changes to appearance and font are controlled through the app settings, but they are somewhat more limited than the desktop version.
Here are the steps:
- Open the Discord app on your mobile device.
- Tap your avatar icon in the bottom-right corner to open User Settings.
- Scroll down to find ‘Appearance’ under the ‘App Settings’ section.
- In the Appearance menu, look for ‘Chat Font Scaling’. Like the desktop, you can use a slider to make text smaller (to the left) or larger (to the right).
Note that on certain devices or older versions of the app, the font scaling option might not be available. In that case, try updating your app or adjusting system text size settings for an indirect solution.
Device-Wide Text Scaling
If Discord does not offer font size controls on your specific mobile device, or you want finer control, you can try changing the font size at the OS level. Here’s how:
- Android: Go to Settings > Display > Font Size and adjust the slider.
- iOS: Navigate to Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size.
These changes will affect all apps across your device, including Discord, and might make text smaller within the app.
Tips for a Better Viewing Experience on Discord
Making text smaller is one way to control your visual experience on Discord. However, there are a few other settings and habits that can enhance readability and prevent discomfort:
- Use Dark Theme: Found in the ‘Appearance’ menu, this theme reduces glare, making smaller text easier to read.
- Condensed Message Display: Enable this to see more messages at once without profile pictures and spacing.
- Custom Zoom Shortcuts: Learn shortcuts like Ctrl + 0 (reset zoom) or Ctrl + + (increase zoom) to quickly adjust interface size on the desktop app.
- Use Full Screen Mode: On your desktop, press F11 or use the app’s view menu to maximize screen estate for better visibility.
What to Do If Font Size Won’t Change
If adjusting the font scaling on either desktop or mobile is not producing results, try the following:
- Restart Discord: Sometimes changes don’t apply until the app is closed and reopened.
- Check for Updates: Go to your device’s app store or Discord’s website to download the latest version.
- Clear Cache and Data: On mobile, clearing app data can resolve persistent appearance issues (note: this logs you out).
Benefits of Smaller Text in Discord
Though large fonts help accessibility, smaller text has its own advantages:
- More messages per screen: Helps you follow conversations without scrolling too often.
- Cleaner layout: Compact fonts make the UI feel less cluttered, especially on busy servers.
- Better multitasking: When using split-screen or windowed modes, smaller font sizes give you more space to work with.
Ultimately, optimizing the font size is a matter of personal preference, but having it set just right can significantly enhance your user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I change the font type in Discord?
- No, Discord doesn’t currently allow users to change the font type. However, font size and spacing can be adjusted.
- Is there a keyboard shortcut to decrease text size in Discord?
- There is no built-in shortcut for just chat font, but you can zoom out the app using Ctrl + - (Windows) or Cmd + - (Mac), which effectively reduces all on-screen text.
- Why don’t I see the appearance settings in my Discord app?
- Older versions of the app or certain devices might not support all appearance features. Make sure your app is updated to the latest version.
- Can I make roles or usernames smaller?
- Role names and user names can’t be resized individually. Font changes apply uniformly across the app.
- Does ‘Compact Mode’ make text smaller?
- Not exactly. ‘Compact Mode’ removes avatars and reduces spacing between messages but does not directly affect font size. It can, however, make the chat look more condensed.