What "screen size" means on a Mac, and what you can actually change
When you want to change your Mac screen size, you are usually changing one of two things: the resolution (how many pixels fit on your display), or the scaling (how large the text and icons appear to you). You cannot physically make your monitor larger, but you can make everything on it look bigger or smaller, and you can adjust how sharp the image appears.
Most people want to change screen size because text is too small to read comfortably, or because they want more room to see multiple windows at once. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have an external monitor or you are using a MacBook's built-in screen, but the settings live in the same place: System Settings.
Key Takeaways
- Open System Settings, click Displays, and you will find options to change resolution and scaling on any Mac.
- Making text and icons larger is called "scaling" or "looks like" adjustment, and it does not require restarting your Mac.
- Resolution changes how many pixels your screen shows; lower resolution makes everything bigger but less sharp.
- External monitors have their own resolution and scaling settings, separate from your Mac's built-in display.
- If your Mac does not show the resolution or scaling options you expect, your monitor may not support them.
How to make everything on your Mac look bigger
The fastest way to enlarge text, icons, and windows is through the scaling setting, which Apple calls "looks like" on newer Macs. Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select System Settings. Click Displays in the left sidebar.
Near the bottom of the Displays window, you will see a slider labeled "Scaling" or a set of radio buttons showing different sizes (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large). Drag the slider or click the size you want. Your screen will update when ready—no restart needed. Start with Medium or Large if text is hard to read, and adjust from there.
This method works on MacBooks and external monitors. The change affects only that display, so if you have two monitors plugged in, you can make one larger and leave the other at its default size.
How to change resolution for more screen space
If you want to fit more windows on your screen at once, you need to change the resolution rather than the scaling. Higher resolution packs more pixels into the same physical space, so everything becomes smaller but you see more of it. Open System Settings, click Displays, and look for a section labeled "Resolution" or "Scaled."
Click the dropdown menu and you will see several options. The option labeled "Default" or marked with a checkmark is what your monitor is designed for. Choosing a higher resolution (more pixels) shrinks everything and gives you more workspace. Choosing a lower resolution makes everything larger but reduces the sharpness of text and images.
On MacBooks with Retina displays, the resolution options may be labeled differently—you might see "Scaled" with preset sizes instead of pixel counts. The principle is the same: higher numbers mean more screen space, lower numbers mean larger text and icons.
Adjusting screen size on an external monitor
External monitors connected to your Mac have their own resolution and scaling settings. Plug in the monitor, open System Settings, and click Displays. If you have more than one display connected, you will see a separate Displays panel for each one. Click the monitor you want to adjust, then change its resolution or scaling the same way you would for a built-in screen.
Some external monitors also have physical buttons or an on-screen menu where you can adjust brightness, contrast, and input source. Those settings are separate from your Mac's display settings and do not affect how large things appear in your applications.
If your external monitor does not show resolution options you expect, the monitor may not support those resolutions, or the cable connecting it to your Mac may not carry enough bandwidth. Try unplugging and replugging the monitor, or restart your Mac. If the problem persists, check the monitor's manual or contact the manufacturer.
When to use Night Shift or accessibility settings instead
If your goal is to reduce eye strain rather than make things larger, Night Shift (which adds warm color to your screen in the evening) lives in the same Displays settings panel. Click the Night Shift tab and turn it on, or set a schedule.
For users who need text significantly larger than the scaling slider allows, macOS has accessibility settings that go further. Open System Settings, click Accessibility, then Display. You will find options for Increase Contrast, Reduce Transparency, and Larger Accessibility Sizes. These settings enlarge text in system menus and some applications beyond what the standard scaling allows.
Troubleshooting when resolution or scaling options are missing
If you open Displays and do not see the resolution or scaling options described above, your Mac may not recognize your monitor correctly. First, try restarting your Mac. Then unplug the external monitor (if you have one) and plug it back in, waiting 10 seconds between disconnect and reconnect.
If the options still do not appear, the monitor cable may be loose or damaged, or your Mac may need a software update. Check for updates by opening System Settings, clicking General, then Software Update. If you are using an older external monitor with a Mac that has only USB-C or Thunderbolt ports, you may need an adapter—some adapters do not carry the video signal correctly, which can prevent resolution options from appearing.
If you have tried these steps and the problem continues, the monitor itself may not be compatible with your Mac, or the graphics connection may be failing. At that point, contact Apple Support or the monitor manufacturer.
How to revert to default screen size
If you change the resolution or scaling and want to go back to what it was, open System Settings, click Displays, and look for an option labeled "Default" or "Recommended." Click it, and your screen will return to the manufacturer's standard setting. This change takes effect when ready.
If you cannot remember what the default was, restarting your Mac will not undo your changes—the new setting will stick. But the Default option in the Displays panel will always show you what Apple or the monitor maker intended, so you can safely click it to restore the original appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing screen resolution damage my monitor?
No. Changing resolution in System Settings tells your monitor how to display the image, but it does not harm the hardware. Your monitor can handle any resolution it supports. If you choose a resolution the monitor does not support, it will either ignore the command or display a distorted image, but it will not be damaged.
Why does my text look blurry after I change the resolution?
Lower resolutions (fewer pixels) make text larger but less sharp because each letter is made of fewer pixels. If you want larger text without blurriness, use the scaling slider instead of lowering the resolution. Scaling keeps the resolution high and just makes the text appear larger.
Can I have different screen sizes on two external monitors at the same time?
Yes. Open System Settings, click Displays, and adjust each monitor separately. Click one monitor's name in the sidebar, change its resolution or scaling, then click the other monitor and adjust it independently. Each monitor remembers its own settings.
What if my MacBook screen is too small and the scaling slider does not go large enough?
Open System Settings, click Accessibility, then Display. Turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes. This option enlarges system text and menus beyond the standard scaling limit. You can also connect an external monitor to your MacBook and use that as your main display while keeping the MacBook closed.
Do I need to restart my Mac after changing the screen size?
No. Changes to resolution and scaling take effect when ready. Your Mac will not ask you to restart, and you do not need to close and reopen applications for the change to explore.