How To Make Text Bigger in a PDF for Reading, Printing & Forms

Why Your PDF Text Looks Too Small (And What You Can Do About It)

At some point, we've all opened a PDF and had to squint or zoom endlessly just to read a line. PDFs are great for preserving layouts, but that also means the text size can sometimes feel locked in; especially when you’re dealing with scanned files or tiny print on forms. When you're reading on your phone, printing a document for someone with low vision, or filling out a form with minuscule text boxes, it helps to know you can make text bigger in a PDF.

And it's easier than you think.

Here’s How To Make Text Bigger in a PDF

You don’t need fancy software to fix this. Just follow these steps using Smallpdf's Edit PDF tool:

1. Upload your file directly or drag and drop it into Edit PDF.
2. Click on any text box to start editing.
3. Use the font-size dropdown to make PDF text larger.
4. Hit “Download” to save your updated PDF with the changes.

Just like that, you've managed to make text larger in your PDF without breaking a sweat.

Note: Edit PDF is a Pro feature, but you can try it free for 7 days—plenty of time to test it out and see if it works for you.

When you change the size of text, things might look a little off after. You can reposition the text box or make it bigger, so everything fits without overlapping.

If you want to save the file in a different format, or use another Smallpdf tool on the document, hit “Finish” instead of “Download” once you're done.

Here’s the Trick To Make PDF Text Larger on Your iPhone

Reading a PDF on an iPhone shouldn’t feel like decoding ants. If the default zoom doesn’t cut it, there are two things you can do. First, pinch and zoom as usual to read, but that only helps while viewing. If you actually want to make PDF text larger on iPhone and save it that way, you’ll want to use the Smallpdf mobile app.

Open the app, upload your PDF, and tap on the Edit tool. Once you're in, you can tap any text and increase its size just like you would on a desktop. When you're done, save the file and your edits are permanent.

How To Make Text Larger in Fillable PDF Forms

Trying to fill out a form but the boxes are way too small? We’ve all been there. There’s no way to easily make text larger in a text box PDF style, but there's a workaround: use the Edit PDF tool instead.

Upload the fillable PDF form to the Smallpdf Edit PDF tool as before. Now select “Annotate” from the top toolbar. Hit the “Add text” button and draw a text box on the form. Add your own text on top of the form and adjust the font to suit your needs before hitting the “Download” button. It’s not cheating—it’s just working smart.

Tip: If only one or two sections are too small for your text, it’s best to fill out the rest of the form first and save it. Once you switch to the Edit PDF tool and make changes, some of the original form fields might stop working.

How To Print a PDF in a Larger Font Size

When you hit print and the text still looks tiny, don’t worry, you’ve got options. You can either make the text bigger inside the file first (as we covered above), or you can scale it at print time.

On most printers, once you hit “Print,” you’ll see a settings window. Look for something like “Custom Scale” or “Fit to Printable Area.” This helps print PDF text larger even if you didn’t edit the file itself.

Either way, you'll be able to print a PDF in a larger font size that doesn’t leave your eyes hurting.

Can You Save a PDF With a Larger Font Permanently?

Absolutely. Once you make the changes using Smallpdf’s tools, you can save the PDF with a larger font baked in. Just make your edits in Edit PDF, and when you hit “Download” or “Finish,” the changes stick.

Want full control over formatting? Another trick is to convert the PDF to Word using Smallpdf’s PDF to Word tool, make all the adjustments you want there, and then convert it back. That way, you can print a PDF document in a larger font that looks just the way you want.

Oh, and one bonus tip: if the file is too big after making all those changes, run it through the Compress PDF tool.

Let’s Clear Up the Most Common PDF Text Questions

How do I change the font of an entire PDF?

You can change text section-by-section using Smallpdf's Edit PDF tool. For full document-wide changes, convert your PDF to Word, adjust the fonts there, then convert it back to PDF. This method is especially useful if you're dealing with a long document or inconsistent formatting.

Is there a shortcut key to increase font size in a PDF?

For zooming in, sure—try Ctrl + (Windows) or Command + (Mac). But to actually make text bigger in a PDF, you’ll need to use an editor like Smallpdf’s. Keyboard shortcuts only affect how you see the file on your screen, not how it's saved or printed.

Can I scale up font size for a PDF I want to print?

Yes! Use the printer’s “Custom Scale” or “Fit to Page” setting. Or edit the file first to make PDF text larger and save yourself the guesswork. This ensures that what you print actually comes out at a readable size without compromising layout.

How do I make PDF text larger online?

Head over to Smallpdf’s Edit PDF tool, click on the text you want to resize, and increase the font. Then just save and download. It’s a fast and easy fix you can do right in your browser.

How do I change font size in a fillable PDF form?

If the form allows it, use the built-in font-size tool when typing in fields. If not, switch to Smallpdf’s Edit PDF to overlay text manually at a size that suits you. That way, your input won’t look squished or hard to read, even when printed.

There’s no need to wrestle with tiny print ever again. Whether you’re filling forms, reading documents on your phone, or trying to print a PDF in a larger font, you’ve got all the tools you need to make text bigger in a PDF—quickly and easily.