The easiest way to adjust the display size for a specific window (e.g. web browser) on a Mac is to press the “Command” key and the “+” (plus) key to zoom in, or the “–” (minus) key to zoom out. However, there are several other zoom customization options available, including trackpad gestures and additional keyboard shortcuts. This wikiHow teaches you how to zoom in and out on a Mac desktop or laptop computer.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Zoom in on a Single Window
Step 1. Open the window that needs to be enlarged
If you only need to zoom in or out on a single application window (eg Safari or Pages), use a quick keyboard shortcut on your computer without configuring any special settings.
Step 2. Press Command++ key to zoom in
Hold down both buttons at the same time to zoom in on the content in the window so you can see it more clearly.
Keep pressing the “+” (plus) button to zoom in as needed
Step 3. Press Command+- key to zoom out
The content or pages in the open window will be minimized.
As with zoom, keep pressing the “-” (minus) button as many times as needed
Method 2 of 4: Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Adjust Entire Screen Display Size
Step 1. Click the Apple menu
If you want to use the keyboard to zoom in or out on the entire screen (and not just a single window), use this method to set up an accessibility keyboard shortcut (“Accessibility”). Start by clicking the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click System Preferences on the menu
Step 3. Click the Accessibility icon
It's a blue and white human icon at the bottom of the window.
Step 4. Click the Zoom menu
This menu is on the left panel. This option is indicated by a desktop icon with a magnifying glass in its upper-left corner.
Step 5. Check the box next to “Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom” at the top of the right pane
Step 6. Press Option+⌘ Command+8 to enable or disable accessibility keyboard shortcuts
Full screen zoom shortcuts are only available if you enable the feature.
It's a good idea to enable the image smoothing feature when you enter this mode. This feature makes the corners of enlarged objects appear smoother so that text is easier to read. Use shortcut “Options” + “Command”+ “" to enable or disable the feature.
Step 7. Press Option+⌘ Command+= to zoom in
The entire screen will be enlarged afterwards. Keep this shortcut pressed to zoom as far as needed.
Step 8. Press Option+⌘ Command+- to zoom out
The entire screen will be reduced back to its original size. As with zoom, you can press this shortcut repeatedly to zoom out the screen as far as needed.
Method 3 of 4: Using the “Pinch” Gesture on the Trackpad
Step 1. Move the cursor to the desired position
If you're using a laptop trackpad or an external Magic Trackpad, you can use them to quickly zoom in or out with finger gestures. Move the cursor to the location that needs to be reduced (or enlarged) first.
Step 2. Place two fingers on the trackpad
Do this step after the cursor is in the area that needs to be enlarged or reduced.
Step 3. Move the two fingers away from each other to enlarge the view
This gesture is the "reverse" of the pinch gesture. You can repeat this gesture to zoom in further if necessary.
Step 4. Move your two fingers closer together (pinch) on the trackpad to zoom out
As with zoom, you can repeat this gesture to zoom out the screen as much as needed.
Method 4 of 4: Using Modify Keys with Mouse or Trackpad
Step 1. Enable the “Scroll Gesture” feature with the modifier button
If you're using a mouse that has a physical scroll wheel, a mouse with a multi-touch surface (e.g. Apple's Magic Mouse), or a laptop trackpad, you can use all three to zoom in or out of windows by connecting them to the "modifier" button. With this button, you can press certain keys (e.g. “Command”) while scrolling the wheel or touching the surface of the device up or down when you want to zoom in or out. Follow these steps to enable the feature:
- Click the Apple menu and select “ System Preferences ”.
- Click the icon " Accessibility ” (blue and white human icon).
- Click " Zoom ” on the left pane.
- Check the box next to "Use scroll gesture with modifier keys to zoom".
- Select a modifier button (e.g. " Control " or " Command ”).
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Select the zoom type from the menu:
- Click " Fullscreen ” to zoom in or out of the entire screen while the feature is in use.
- Click " Split screen ” to view objects or content that is enlarged (or reduced) on one side of the screen.
- Click " Picture-in-picture ” if you only want to zoom in or out on a specific part of the screen marked by the cursor.
Step 2. Press the modify button when you are ready to zoom in or out
For example, if you select the “Control” button, press and hold the button.
Step 3. Slide the mouse wheel upwards to zoom in
If you're using a Magic Mouse or laptop trackpad, use two fingers to swipe up.
Step 4. Slide the mouse wheel downwards to zoom out
If you're using a Magic Mouse or trackpad, use two fingers to swipe downwards.
