Have you ever encountered a situation where the font size of a selected text in Photoshop was too small or too large? Whether you’re a seasoned graphic designer or just starting out with the software, this common issue can be frustrating and time-consuming to resolve. Fortunately, changing the font size of selected text in Photoshop is a simple and straightforward process. Follow these steps to effortlessly adjust the font size and achieve the desired visual impact for your designs.
To begin, ensure that the text layer containing the selected text is active in the Layers panel. This is important because you can only modify the properties of the active layer. Once the correct layer is selected, locate the Character panel in the workspace. The Character panel provides various options for controlling the appearance of text, including font size. Look for the “Size” field, usually located at the top of the panel. By default, the font size is displayed in points (pt), a common unit of measurement for typography. Enter the desired font size value in the Size field, using the up or down arrow keys to incrementally adjust the size. As you type, the text will update in real-time, allowing you to preview the changes before committing to them.
In addition to using the Character panel, you can also modify the font size of selected text using keyboard shortcuts. This can be a more efficient approach when working with multiple text layers or when you need to make quick adjustments. On a Mac, press Command + T (Cmd + T) to bring up the Transform tool. Then, hover over any of the bounding box handles until the cursor changes to a double-headed arrow. Hold down the Option key (Alt key on Windows) and drag the handle inward to reduce the font size or outward to increase it. When satisfied with the size, press Enter or click the checkmark in the options bar to apply the changes. Remember that using this method will also scale the text object itself, so be mindful of maintaining the desired proportions and spacing.
Selecting the Text
1. Using the Text Tool
To select text using the text tool, follow these steps:
– Click on the “Text” tool (T) in the Tools panel.
– Click and drag the cursor over the text you want to select.
– To select all text in a layer, double-click on the layer in the Layers panel.
2. Using the Type Tool
To select text using the Type tool, follow these steps:
– Select the “Type” tool (T) in the Tools panel.
– Click and drag the cursor to create a text box.
– Type the text you want to add.
– To select all text in the text box, click anywhere inside the box and press Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac).
Formatting the Text
Once you have selected the text you want to format, you can use the Character panel to change the font size, color, and other formatting options.
To open the Character panel, click on the “Window” menu and select “Character”.
The Character panel contains a variety of settings that you can use to format your text, including:
| Setting | Description |
|—|—|
| Font | Select the font face. |
| Font style | Select the font style (regular, bold, italic, etc.). |
| Font size | Select the font size in points. |
| Color | Select the text color. |
| Alignment | Select the text alignment (left, center, right, or justified). |
Opening the Character Panel
To access the Character panel, you have multiple options:
1. Menu Bar
Navigate to the top menu bar, select “Type” > “Character”.
2. Keyboard Shortcuts
Press “Ctrl+T” (Windows) or “Command+T” (Mac) to open a Type Properties dialog box. Then, click on the “Character” tab to display the Character panel.
3. Workspace
Go to “Window” > “Workspace” > “Essential”. This will automatically show the Character panel in your workspace.
4. Customize Toolbar
Right-click on the Toolbar and select “Customize Toolbar”. Drag the “Character” icon from the “Type” section to your desired location on the Toolbar.
Shortcut | Platform |
---|---|
Ctrl+T | Windows |
Command+T | Mac |
Once you have opened the Character panel, you can use it to change the font size, color, and other text attributes for your Photoshop project.
Adjusting the Font Size
To change the font size in Photoshop, follow these steps:
- Select the text layer in the Layers panel.
- In the Character panel (Window > Character), locate the Font Size field.
- Enter the desired font size in points or pixels. You can also use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the font size.
Size Unit Syntax Example Points(pt) pt 12pt Pixels(px) px 14px Percentage(%) % 100%
When specifying the font size, you can use points (pt), pixels (px), or percentages (%) as the unit of measurement. Points are a measure of font size that is commonly used in typography. Pixels are based on the resolution of your display and are used to specify the actual size of the text on your screen. Percentages are used to specify the font size relative to the size of the text box or container.
By following these steps, you can easily change the font size in Photoshop to suit your needs.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Photoshop provides a range of keyboard shortcuts for quick and efficient font size adjustment.
To increase the font size:
- Windows: Press Ctrl + ]
- Mac: Press Command + ]
To decrease the font size:
- Windows: Press Ctrl + [
- Mac: Press Command + [
These keyboard shortcuts allow for precise adjustments without having to manually type in the font size. They are especially useful for repeated changes or when working with multiple layers of text.
Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts
Users can customize the keyboard shortcuts for font size adjustments in Photoshop. To do this:
1. Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts.
2. In the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box, navigate to the Menus tab.
3. Expand the Type category.
4. Scroll down to find the Increase Font Size and Decrease Font Size options.
5. Click on the desired option and enter the preferred keyboard shortcut.
Keyboard Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Ctrl/Command + ] | Increase font size |
Ctrl/Command + [ | Decrease font size |
The customized keyboard shortcuts will be applied immediately and can be used for subsequent font size adjustments.
Applying the Font Size Change
Once you’ve selected the text you wish to modify, you can proceed to adjust its font size. There are several methods available to accomplish this:
1. Toolbar Properties Panel
Locate the Character Panel in the Toolbar. It contains a drop-down menu where you can select the desired font size. Simply click on the menu and choose the size you want.
2. Keyboard Shortcut
For quick font size changes, use keyboard shortcuts. On Windows, press “Ctrl” + “[” to decrease the size and “Ctrl” + “]” to increase it. On macOS, use “Command” + “[” and “Command” + “]” respectively.
3. Size Option in Text Tool Options Bar
When the Text Tool is active, an Options Bar appears above the document window. It includes a drop-down menu for selecting the font size. Select the desired size from the menu.
4. Font Size Tool
In the Tools panel on the left, you’ll find the Font Size Tool. Click on the tool and hover over the text you want to modify. A small box will appear with a crosshair. Drag the crosshair up or down to adjust the font size.
5. Advanced Font Size Adjustment
For more precise control over font size, you can use the Character Panel (Window > Character). In the panel, you’ll find the following options:
Option | Description | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Size | Sets the exact font size in points. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leading | Specifies the vertical space between lines of text. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Baseline Shift | Adjusts the position of the text relative to the baseline. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tracking | Modifies the horizontal spacing between individual characters. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kerning | Fine-tunes the spacing between pairs of characters.
Changing the Font Size of Multiple Text LayersTo change the font size of multiple text layers simultaneously, select the desired layers in the Layers panel. Afterward, in the Character panel (Window > Character), navigate to the Size field and enter the new font size. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command / Control + Shift + \ (backslash) to increase the font size and Command / Control + Shift + / (forward slash) to decrease it. Fine-Tuning Font Size AdjustmentsFor precise font size adjustments, consider the following tips:
Changing the Font Size of ParagraphsTo change the font size of a paragraph of text in Photoshop, follow these steps:
Using the Font Size Keyboard ShortcutYou can also use a keyboard shortcut to change the font size:
This method allows you to type in the desired font size and quickly change it without going to the Character panel. Using the Type Tool OptionsThe Type Tool offers a range of options to adjust the font size of selected text. To access these options, select the Type Tool (T) and click on the text you wish to modify. 8. Character PanelThe Character Panel provides comprehensive control over the font size and other character attributes. To open the Character Panel, go to Window > Character. Within the Character Panel, you will find several options related to font size:
Font Size in Layer StylesThe Font Size option in Layer Styles allows you to control the size of text when applying layer styles. You can adjust the font size in pixels (px), points (pt), or percentages (%). Layer styles are non-destructive, meaning you can modify the font size at any time without affecting the original text. Adjusting Font SizeTo adjust the font size within layer styles:
You can also use the “Responsive Scaling” checkbox to ensure the font size remains consistent relative to the image size when resizing or transforming. Using Font Size UnitsPhotoshop provides three units for specifying font size:
Advanced Font Size OptionsThe Layer Styles panel offers advanced font size options that provide precise control over text size and layout:
Previewing the Font Size ChangeBefore committing to a font size change, you can preview the change live on your artwork to see the impact. Here’s how: 1. Select the Text LayerIn the Layers panel, click on the text layer you want to modify. 2. Choose the Font Size ToolFrom the Toolbar (F5), select the Type Tool (T). Then, click on the “T” icon in the Options Bar and select “Character” or “Paragraph” to access the font size settings. 3. Adjust the Font SizeType in the desired font size value or use the up/down arrows next to the font size field to increase/decrease the size. 4. Preview the ChangeAs you adjust the font size, Photoshop updates the preview on the artwork in real-time. This allows you to see the actual appearance of the text at the new font size. 5. Commit the ChangeOnce you’re satisfied with the font size preview, press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac) to apply the change. 6. Undo the Change (Optional)If you change your mind, you can undo the font size change by pressing Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac). 7. Use Keyboard ShortcutsFor quick font size adjustments, use the following keyboard shortcuts: [ and ] increase and decrease the font size by 1 point (pt), respectively; Shift+[ and Shift+] increase and decrease by 10 pt. 8. Check the Character or Paragraph PanelAlternatively, you can view and edit the font size in the Character Panel (Window > Character) or the Paragraph Panel (Window > Paragraph). 9. Use the Transform PanelFor non-destructive font size changes, use the Transform Panel (Edit > Free Transform). Select the text layer, click on the Transform handles, and drag to scale the text, effectively changing its font size. 10. Fine-Tune with the Type MenuFor precise font size adjustments, go to the Type menu > Character Spacing > More Options. In the Character Spacing Options dialog box, you can specify the font size with up to six decimal places, giving you extreme precision over the size of your text.
How to Change Selected Font Size in PhotoshopChanging the font size of selected text in Photoshop is a simple process that can be done in a few steps:
People Also AskHow do I change the font size of multiple text layers at once?To change the font size of multiple text layers at once, select all of the layers that you want to change the font size of. Then, follow the steps outlined above. How do I change the font size of a shape layer?To change the font size of a shape layer, first convert the shape layer into a text layer. To do this, right-click on the shape layer in the “Layers” panel and select “Convert to Text Layer”. Once the shape layer has been converted into a text layer, you can follow the steps outlined above to change the font size. How do I change the font size of a gradient fill?To change the font size of a gradient fill, first convert the gradient fill layer into a text layer. To do this, right-click on the gradient fill layer in the “Layers” panel and select “Convert to Text Layer”. Once the gradient fill layer has been converted into a text layer, you can follow the steps outlined above to change the font size. |