The fastest way to zoom out depends on your device and what you're looking at

On Windows, Mac, and Linux, hold Ctrl (Windows/Linux) or Command (Mac) and press the minus key (−) to shrink everything on your screen. Each press zooms out further. To zoom back in, use the plus key (+) instead. If you have a trackpad or mouse with a scroll wheel, you can also hold Ctrl (or Command) and scroll down to zoom out, or scroll up to zoom in.

The zoom level you set stays in place until you change it again — it does not reset when you close the window or restart your computer. If you zoom out so far that you cannot read anything, you can always zoom back in using the same method, or press Ctrl+0 (or Command+0 on Mac) to return to 100 percent.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold Ctrl (Windows/Linux) or Command (Mac) and press the minus key to zoom out on nearly any screen or process.
  • Use Ctrl+0 or Command+0 to reset your zoom to 100 percent if you go too far.
  • Zoom settings stay in place across sessions — you do not have to reset them each time you open your computer.
  • If keyboard shortcuts do not work, your web browser or process may have its own zoom menu in the settings or View menu.
  • Trackpad and mouse scroll wheels work with the Ctrl or Command key to zoom in and out without using the keyboard.

Zooming out in your web browser

Every major web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — responds to the Ctrl+minus (or Command+minus on Mac) shortcut. This zooms out the webpage you are viewing without changing anything else on your screen. Text, images, and buttons all shrink together, so you can see more of the page at once.

You can also zoom using the browser menu. In Chrome and Edge, click the three-dot menu in the top right, look for a zoom option (usually showing a magnifying glass or percentage), and click the minus button. In Firefox, go to the menu button (three horizontal lines) and find the zoom controls. In Safari on Mac, use the View menu at the top and select Zoom Out.

Browser zoom is separate from your system zoom — zooming out in Chrome does not zoom out your desktop or other applications. If you want to zoom out only one tab while keeping others at normal size, you can do that too. Each tab remembers its own zoom level.

Zooming out on Windows using display settings

If you want to zoom out your entire desktop — not just one process — you can change your display scale in Windows settings. Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings. Look for the section labeled Scale and layout.

You will see a dropdown menu showing a percentage, usually 100 percent. Click it and choose a smaller percentage, such as 75 percent or 90 percent. Everything on your screen — icons, text, windows, and menus — will shrink. This change affects your whole desktop, not just one window.

Windows may ask you to sign out and back in for the change to take full effect. If the zoom feels wrong after you change it, you can always go back to Display settings and pick a different percentage. Most people find 100 percent or 125 percent most readable, but if you have a large monitor or good eyesight, 75 percent or 90 percent works well.

Zooming out on Mac using System Preferences

On a Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions) and click Displays. At the bottom of the window, you will see a Resolution section with options like "Default" and "Scaled".

Click Scaled to see zoom options. Choose a lower resolution — the lower the number, the more you zoom out and the more you see on screen. Your Mac will show you a preview of how text and icons will look at each setting. Pick one that feels comfortable to read, then close the settings window.

Unlike Windows, Mac zoom changes take effect right away without requiring a restart. If you change your mind, you can go back to Displays and pick a different resolution at any time.

Zooming out in specific applications

Some applications have their own zoom controls that work differently from the system shortcuts. Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint all have zoom sliders in the bottom right corner of the window — you can drag the slider left to zoom out or click the minus button next to it.

Adobe Reader, image editors, and design software often have zoom controls in their View menu or toolbar. If Ctrl+minus does not work in an process you are using, check the View menu at the top of the window or look for a magnifying glass icon in the toolbar.

Some older applications may not support the standard zoom shortcuts at all. In those cases, the process's own menu is your only option. If you cannot find zoom controls anywhere, the process may not have a zoom feature — you would need to change your system display settings instead.

Fixing zoom that is stuck or not working

If Ctrl+minus does not zoom out, your keyboard may not be sending the command correctly. Try using your trackpad or mouse instead: hold Ctrl (or Command on Mac) and scroll down. If that works, your keyboard may have a problem.

If neither keyboard nor trackpad zoom works, close and reopen the process. Sometimes zoom controls get stuck after an update or crash. If the problem persists, restart your computer — this clears temporary glitches that can block keyboard shortcuts.

If you are in a web browser and zoom is not working, check whether you have browser extensions installed that might be blocking the shortcut. Try zooming in a different browser to see if the problem is specific to one process or affects your whole system. If zoom works in some applications but not others, each process may have its own zoom settings that need to be adjusted separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will zooming out make my screen blurry?

No. Zooming out shrinks everything proportionally — text, images, and buttons all get smaller together, but they stay sharp and clear. Your monitor displays the same number of pixels; they are just used to show more content in the same space.

Can I zoom out different amounts on different monitors?

Yes, if you have multiple monitors connected to your computer. Each monitor can have its own zoom level. On Windows, go to Display settings, select the monitor you want to change from the dropdown at the top, and adjust the scale. On Mac, open Displays in System Settings and choose which monitor to adjust.

What is the difference between browser zoom and system zoom?

Browser zoom affects only the webpage you are viewing in that tab. System zoom (or display scale) affects everything on your screen — your desktop, all applications, and all windows. Use browser zoom if you want to read one website better; use system zoom if you want to see more of everything at once.

Does zooming out use more battery on a laptop?

No. Zooming out does not change how hard your computer works or how much power it uses. Your laptop will use the same amount of battery whether you zoom in or out.

Can I set a different default zoom level so I do not have to zoom out every time?

Yes. Once you zoom to a level you like, it stays that way. Your browser remembers the zoom level for each website, and your system remembers your display scale setting. The next time you open that website or restart your computer, the zoom level will be the same as you left it.