Where to find cursor size settings on your Mac

Your Mac stores cursor size controls in System Settings under Accessibility. Open System Settings from your Apple menu, then click Accessibility in the sidebar. From there, select Display, and you'll see a slider labeled "Cursor size" near the bottom of the window. This is the main control for making your pointer larger or smaller.

The slider ranges from the smallest setting on the left to the largest on the right. You can adjust it in real time and see your cursor change size when ready on your screen, so you don't have to guess or restart anything. The change takes effect right away.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, go to Accessibility, then Display to find the cursor size slider.
  • The slider adjusts your cursor size in real time, so you can see the change as you move it.
  • Mac also offers a separate "Shake mouse pointer to make it larger" feature that temporarily enlarges your cursor when you move your mouse quickly.
  • If you use an external mouse or trackpad, the cursor size setting applies to both equally.
  • Your cursor size preference stays saved even after you restart your Mac.

Using the shake-to-enlarge feature for temporary size boost

Mac includes a second cursor feature called "Shake mouse pointer to make it larger," which temporarily enlarges your cursor when you move your mouse or trackpad quickly. This works alongside the main size slider and can be useful if you've lost track of where your cursor is on a large screen. To turn this on, stay in the same Display section of Accessibility and check the box next to "Shake mouse pointer to make it larger."

When this feature is on, a quick, sharp movement of your mouse or trackpad will make the cursor grow larger for a few seconds, then shrink back to your normal size setting. This doesn't change your default cursor size—it's just a temporary visual aid. You can use it as often as you need without affecting your main settings.

Adjusting cursor size for different monitors and displays

If you use an external monitor or connect your Mac to a projector, the cursor size setting applies to all displays at once. There's no separate control for each screen. If you find the cursor too small on an external monitor but too large on your Mac's built-in screen, you'll need to find a middle ground with the slider that works reasonably well for both.

Some people working with very large displays or multiple monitors find that even the maximum cursor size isn't quite large enough. In that case, the shake-to-enlarge feature becomes more useful, since you can keep your default size moderate and temporarily enlarge the cursor when you need to locate it quickly.

What to do if the cursor size slider doesn't appear

On older Mac models or certain macOS versions, the cursor size control might be in a slightly different location. If you don't see it in Display under Accessibility, check the Pointer Control section instead—it's also in Accessibility but organized differently depending on your macOS version. You can also search for "cursor" directly in System Settings to jump straight to the right place.

If you're using a Mac with an M1, M2, or newer chip, the Display section is the standard location. If you're on an Intel Mac running an older version of macOS, the layout may differ slightly, but Accessibility is always the right starting point.

Cursor size and contrast options that work together

The Display section of Accessibility also includes a "Increase contrast" option that can make your cursor stand out more against your background. If you've made your cursor larger but still have trouble seeing it clearly, turning on increased contrast can help. These two settings work together—a larger, higher-contrast cursor is much easier to track on screen.

You can also adjust your display's color filters or enable dark mode from the same Display section, which may make your cursor more visible depending on your background. Experiment with these settings together to find what works best for your eyesight and your typical work environment.

Checking your cursor size on different applications

Your cursor size setting is system-wide, so it applies to every process on your Mac—web browsers, word processors, photo editors, and everything else. You don't need to adjust cursor size separately for each program. However, some applications may display their own custom cursors (like a crosshair in a drawing app or a text insertion point in a document), and those custom cursors will respect your size setting as well.

If you notice the cursor looks different in a particular process, that's usually because the app is using a custom cursor design, not because your size setting didn't work. The underlying size is still controlled by your Accessibility setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make my cursor even larger than the maximum slider setting?

No, the slider in Display under Accessibility represents the full range available through system settings. If the largest setting still isn't big enough, the shake-to-enlarge feature is your best option for temporarily making the cursor larger when you need to locate it.

Will changing cursor size slow down my Mac?

No. Cursor size is a straightforward visual setting that has no impact on your Mac's performance or speed. You can adjust it as often as you like without any effect on how your computer runs.

Does cursor size affect trackpad sensitivity?

No. Cursor size and trackpad sensitivity are completely separate settings. Changing how large your cursor appears does not change how fast it moves or how responsive your trackpad is to your movements.

What if I connect a mouse to my Mac—does the cursor size change?

No. Your cursor size setting applies to all input devices equally, whether you're using your trackpad, an external mouse, or any other pointing device. The size you set in Accessibility stays the same regardless of what you're using to control it.

Can I save different cursor sizes for different user accounts?

Yes. Each user account on your Mac has its own Accessibility settings, so you can set a different cursor size for each person who uses the computer. When you switch users, the cursor size automatically changes to that user's preference.