How to Zoom Out on a Computer? Learn simple ways to zoom out on a computer using keyboard shortcuts, mouse controls, browser settings, or display options to make webpages and content appear smaller on the screen.
How to Zoom Out on a Computer?
You can zoom out on a computer by pressing Ctrl + Minus (-) on Windows or Command + Minus (-) on Mac, which makes webpages and supported applications appear smaller.
How to Zoom Out on Windows
The quickest method in most web browsers is:
Press Ctrl + -
Each time you press the shortcut, the page becomes smaller.
To return to normal size, press:
Ctrl + 0
To zoom back in:
Ctrl + +
How to Zoom Out on a Mac
On a Mac, use:
Command (⌘) + -
To reset the zoom:
Command (⌘) + 0
To zoom in:
Command (⌘) + +
Zoom Out Using a Browser Menu
Most browsers also provide zoom controls through their menu.
Google Chrome
Open Chrome.
Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
Find Zoom.
Click the minus (-) button.
Microsoft Edge
Open Edge.
Click the three-dot menu.
Locate Zoom.
Select the minus (-) button.
Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox.
Click the menu button.
Find Zoom.
Click - to decrease the page size.
Zoom Out With a Mouse or Touchpad
Some computers allow you to zoom using the mouse or touchpad.
For many applications:
Hold Ctrl on Windows and scroll the mouse wheel downward.
Hold Command on Mac and use the supported scrolling gesture.
On a touchpad, use a two-finger pinch inward when the application supports it.
The exact behavior can vary between browsers and applications.
Browser Zoom vs Screen Magnification
These two features are different.
Feature What It Changes Common Shortcut
Browser zoom Size of webpage content Ctrl + -
Display scaling Size of Windows interface and apps Settings
Magnifier Enlarges part of the screen Windows + +
Application zoom Content inside a specific program Depends on app
If only a website looks too large, browser zoom is usually the appropriate solution.
How to Reset Zoom to 100%
If you accidentally zoomed too far out, you can quickly restore the default size.
Windows
Press:
Ctrl + 0
Mac
Press:
Command + 0
This normally returns supported webpages to their default 100% zoom level.
If Everything on the Computer Looks Too Large
If icons, menus, and applications—not just webpages—look unusually large, the problem may be display scaling rather than browser zoom.
On Windows:
Settings → System → Display → Scale
Choose an appropriate recommended scaling percentage.
Avoid changing display scaling when the problem only affects one website.
Simple Zoom Controls
Windows:
Ctrl + + → Zoom In
Ctrl + - → Zoom Out
Ctrl + 0 → Reset
Mac:
⌘ + + → Zoom In
⌘ + - → Zoom Out
⌘ + 0 → Reset
Final Answer
For most computers, the fastest way to zoom out is Ctrl + - on Windows or Command + - on Mac. If you need to restore the normal webpage size, use Ctrl + 0 or Command + 0.
