Summarize this article with:
Staring at code for hours with the wrong font? That gets old fast.
Learning how to change font in VSCode takes under 5 minutes and makes a real difference in your daily workflow.
The default Consolas works fine. But a proper programming font with ligature support, better spacing, and optimized readability can reduce eye strain significantly.
This guide walks you through the exact steps to customize your editor font settings, from accessing the Settings UI to configuring settings.json directly.
You will learn how to adjust font family, font size, line height, terminal typography, and enable font ligatures for cleaner code display.
How to Change Font in VSCode
Changing font in VSCode is the process of modifying the editor.fontFamily and editor.fontSize properties through the Settings UI or settings.json file.
Users need this when customizing their coding environment for better readability, reducing eye strain during long sessions, or matching their web development IDE preferences.
This guide covers 5 steps requiring 3 to 5 minutes and basic familiarity with the Visual Studio Code interface.
Prerequisites
- Visual Studio Code version 1.85 or later installed
- Windows 10/11, macOS 12+, or Linux operating system
- Basic understanding of VSCode settings navigation
- Time required: 3 to 5 minutes
No coding experience needed.
The font configuration works the same across all platforms.
Step One: How Do You Access VSCode Settings?
Open the Settings tab using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Comma on Windows/Linux or Cmd+Comma on macOS.
The Settings UI displays a search bar at the top where you can filter thousands of configuration options.
Action
- Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Comma (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Comma (macOS)
- Alternative path: File > Preferences > Settings
- Command Palette method: Ctrl+Shift+P, then type “Preferences: Open Settings”
Purpose
The Settings tab provides access to all editor font settings including font family, font size, line height, and font weight.
You can also open settings.json in VSCode directly for manual editing.
Step Two: Where Do You Find the Font Family Setting?
Type “font family” in the search field at the top of the Settings tab to filter directly to typography options.
The Editor: Font Family input field appears showing the current monospace font configuration.
Action
- Search input: font family
- Setting location: Editor: Font Family
- Default value: Consolas, ‘Courier New’, monospace
Purpose
The font family setting controls which typeface renders in the code editor area.
VSCode uses a fallback system, so if the first font is unavailable, it tries the next one in the list.
Step Three: How Do You Enter a New Font Name?
Click inside the Editor: Font Family input field and replace the existing value with your preferred programming font name.
Wrap font names containing spaces in single quotes, like ‘JetBrains Mono’ or ‘Fira Code’.
Action
- Input format: ‘Primary Font’, ‘Fallback Font’, monospace
- Example value: ‘Fira Code’, ‘JetBrains Mono’, Consolas, monospace
- Result: Editor text updates immediately after input
Purpose
The font family value accepts multiple fonts separated by commas.
This creates a fallback chain useful for front-end development teams sharing workspace settings across different machines.
Popular Programming Fonts
- Fira Code: Free, supports ligatures, excellent for JavaScript
- JetBrains Mono: Designed for code, increased height for better readability
- Cascadia Code: Microsoft font with ligature support
- Source Code Pro: Adobe’s open source monospace option
- Consolas: Default Windows programming font
Step Four: How Do You Adjust Font Size?
Search for “font size” in the Settings tab and locate the Editor: Font Size field showing the current pixel value.
The default is 14 pixels. Most developers prefer values between 12 and 18 depending on monitor resolution.
Action
- Setting location: Editor: Font Size
- Default value: 14
- Recommended range: 12 to 18 pixels
- Result: Text size changes across all editor tabs instantly
Purpose
Font size directly impacts code readability and reduces eye strain during long software development sessions.
You can also zoom in VSCode temporarily without changing the base font size.
Step Five: How Do You Modify Line Height for Better Readability?
The Editor: Line Height setting controls vertical spacing between lines of code in the editor area.
A value of 0 means automatic calculation based on font size. Custom values like 1.5 or 22 override this.
Action
- Setting location: Editor: Line Height
- Default value: 0 (automatic)
- Custom value examples: 1.5 (ratio) or 22 (pixels)
- Result: Spacing between code lines adjusts immediately
Purpose
Increased line height improves scanability when reviewing dense code blocks or debugging complex logic.
Alternative Method: How Do You Change Font Using settings.json?
Open the Command Palette with Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (macOS), then type “Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON)”.
This opens the raw JSON configuration file where you can edit multiple font properties at once.
Action
- Command: Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON)
- Properties to add: editor.fontFamily, editor.fontSize, editor.lineHeight, editor.fontWeight
JSON Configuration Example
“ { "editor.fontFamily": "'Fira Code', 'JetBrains Mono', monospace", "editor.fontSize": 15, "editor.lineHeight": 1.6, "editor.fontWeight": "400", "editor.fontLigatures": true } `
Method Comparison
| Settings UI | settings.json | | — | — | | Time: 2 minutes | Time: 3 minutes | | Complexity: Beginner | Complexity: Intermediate | | Best for: Quick single changes | Best for: Multiple settings, team sharing |
Choose Settings UI for quick adjustments. Use settings.json when configuring multiple properties or sharing settings across your codebase.
How Do You Change Terminal Font Separately?
The integrated terminal uses a separate font setting from the main editor, found under Terminal: Integrated: Font Family.
By default, the terminal inherits from editor.fontFamily. Override this for a different terminal appearance.
Action
- Setting location: Terminal > Integrated: Font Family
- Default behavior: Inherits from editor.fontFamily
- Override example: ‘MesloLGS NF’, ‘Ubuntu Mono’, monospace
Purpose
Separate terminal fonts work well when using powerline fonts or special glyphs for shell prompts.
Learn how to open terminal in VSCode if you haven’t configured it yet.
How Do You Enable Font Ligatures?
Font ligatures combine character sequences like =>, !==, and -> into single glyphs for cleaner code appearance.
Only works with ligature-compatible fonts: Fira Code, JetBrains Mono, Cascadia Code, Hasklig.
Action
- Setting location: Editor: Font Ligatures
- Value to enable: true
- JSON property: “editor.fontLigatures”: true
- Result: Character combinations render as connected symbols
Purpose
Ligatures reduce visual noise in JavaScript arrow functions, TypeScript type annotations, and comparison operators.
Verification
Confirm your font changes applied correctly:
- Open any code file and check the editor displays your selected font
- Verify font size matches your configured pixel value
- Test terminal font if separately configured
- Type => or !== to confirm ligatures work (if enabled)
- Check line spacing appears correct in dense code blocks
Troubleshooting
Font Does Not Change After Saving Settings
Solution: Confirm font name spelling matches exactly with the installed system font. Check if the font is installed system-wide, not just in a single application. Restart VSCode using File > Exit, then reopen.
Font Appears Blurry or Distorted
Solution: Adjust Editor: Font Weight setting to 400 (normal) or 500 (medium). Disable font ligatures if using an incompatible font. On Windows, check ClearType settings in system preferences.
Terminal Font Not Updating
Solution: Terminal uses separate configuration. Navigate to Terminal > Integrated: Font Family, enter font name, restart the integrated terminal with Ctrl+Shift+Backtick.
JSON Syntax Error After Manual Edit
Solution: Verify all property names use double quotes. Check for missing commas between properties. Use the built-in JSON validation; red squiggles indicate errors. Learn how to enable error squiggles in VSCode if disabled.
Related Processes
- How to format code in VSCode for consistent styling
- How to use Prettier in VSCode for automatic formatting
- How to autoformat in VSCode on save
- How to comment in VSCode using keyboard shortcuts
- How to find and replace in VSCode across files
FAQ on How To Change Font In VSCode
What is the default font in VSCode?
The default editor font family in Visual Studio Code is Consolas on Windows, Menlo on macOS, and Droid Sans Mono on Linux.
These monospace fonts ship with each operating system. No installation required.
How do I change font size in VSCode without opening settings?
Use Ctrl+Plus to increase or Ctrl+Minus to decrease the editor zoom level temporarily.
This affects the entire interface, not just the code editor. Reset with Ctrl+0.
Why is my font not changing after I update settings?
The font name likely contains a typo or the font is not installed system-wide.
Check exact spelling in your system’s font manager. Wrap names with spaces in single quotes like ‘Fira Code’.
Can I use different fonts for the editor and terminal?
Yes. The integrated terminal has its own font configuration under Terminal: Integrated: Font Family in settings.
By default it inherits from the editor, but you can override this with any installed monospace font.
What are font ligatures and should I enable them?
Font ligatures combine character sequences like => and !== into single glyphs.
Enable them with editor.fontLigatures: true in settings.json. Requires a compatible font like Fira Code or JetBrains Mono.
How do I change font in VSCode for Markdown preview?
Search for “markdown preview font family” in Settings.
The Markdown: Preview: Font Family property accepts any installed font. Learn how to preview Markdown in VSCode for full configuration options.
What is the best programming font for VSCode?
Fira Code and JetBrains Mono rank highest among developers for ligature support and readability.
Cascadia Code from Microsoft offers a solid free alternative. Personal preference matters most here.
How do I reset font settings to default in VSCode?
Right-click on any modified setting and select “Reset Setting” to restore the default value.
For settings.json, delete the editor.fontFamily and editor.fontSize lines completely. Save the file.
Can I change font for specific file types only?
Yes. Use language-specific settings in settings.json with the [language] syntax.
Add “[python]”: {“editor.fontSize”: 16} to apply different font sizes per file extension.
How do I sync font settings across multiple devices?
Enable Settings Sync in VSCode through the Accounts menu in the bottom left corner.
Sign in with GitHub or Microsoft account. All font configuration syncs automatically across machines.
Conclusion
Knowing how to change font in VSCode gives you full control over your coding environment.
The process takes minutes. The impact lasts through every coding session.
You can now configure editor.fontFamily, adjust font weight, and set up workspace settings that match your preferences.
Whether you pick Fira Code for its ligatures or stick with a classic monospace font like Monaco or Roboto Mono, the choice is yours.
Try different font sizes between 14 and 18 pixels. Experiment with line spacing until code blocks feel comfortable to scan.
Your IDE typography directly affects productivity. A few minutes of customization pays off across thousands of hours at the keyboard.
Save your configuration, sync it across devices, and get back to writing code.
Many of his resources are available on various design marketplaces and for free on Codepen.
Over the years, he's worked with a range of clients and contributed to design publications like Design Your Way, Designmodo, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, and Speckyboy, and Slider Revolution among others.
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