How to Change the Font for Incoming Mail in Thunderbird

Read your email in the font you prefer

What to Know

  • From the Thunderbird menu bar, select Thunderbird > Preferences (Mac) or Tools Options (Windows PC). Click Display.
  • Select the default font and size you prefer. To change colors, select Colors. When you're happy with your choices, select OK.
  • Clear the Allow messages to use other fonts check box so that your choices override those of senders.

This article explains how to set the Mozilla Thunderbird email client to use the font face, size, and color you prefer when reading incoming mail. Instructions are similar for all Thunderbird versions across platforms.

How to Set Your Thunderbird Incoming Mail Options

Here's how to change the look of your incoming mail:

  1. Select Thunderbird > Preferences (Tools Options on a Windows computer) from the Thunderbird menu bar.

    Thunderbird Preferences
  2. Click Display.

  3. Select the default font and size you prefer. To change colors, select Colors. When you're happy with your choices, hit OK to return to the Formatting menu.

    Thunderbird Preferences > Display
  4. Select Advanced.

  5. Make the choices as desired and hit OK.

    Uncheck the box next to Allow messages to use other fonts so that your choices will override those of senders.

    Thunderbird Fonts & Encodings
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