How to Scale Text in Photoshop?

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Change the font size, or change the size? Plenty of people get stuck right here. This guide keeps the two apart: Free Transform scales the pixels without touching the point size, while editing the size directly is the real change. Shortcuts included, plus the usual trouble with stretched type.

① Scale text with Free Transform (without changing the font size)

  1. Select the Type tool (T) in the left toolbar and click or drag on the canvas to create a text layer.
  2. Make sure the text layer is selected (highlighted in the Layers panel) and press Ctrl + T (⌘ + T on Mac) to open the Free Transform box.
  3. Once the four corner handles appear, drag them:
    • Dragging a corner scales while keeping the width-to-height ratio.
    • Hold Shift to lock the ratio (locked by default; Shift frees it).
    • Hold Alt/Option to scale from the center point.
  4. Press Enter (or click the check mark) when you are done.
⚠️ Note: Free Transform is pixel-level scaling, so enlarging can produce jagged edges. If sharp text matters, use "change the font size directly" below instead.

② Change the font size directly (actually change the point size)

  1. Select the Type tool (T) and double-click the text layer on the canvas, or click straight into existing text.
  2. With the text selected, Font and Size fields appear at the top of the page (if they don't, open Window → Character).
  3. Type the point size you need into the Size field (e.g. 48 pt), or scroll through the dropdown list.
  4. The text re-renders at the new size immediately and stays vector, so it remains sharp when enlarged.
💡 Tip: to resize several text layers at once, Shift-select them and enter a single Size value in the options bar.

③ Shortcut reference

Function Windows shortcut macOS shortcut Notes
Free Transform Ctrl + T ⌘ + T Opens the transform box for proportional scaling, rotation and more.
Increase font size by 1 pt (while editing text) Ctrl + Shift + > ⌘ + Shift + > Raises the size by 1 pt.
Decrease font size by 1 pt (while editing text) Ctrl + Shift + < ⌘ + Shift + < Lowers the size by 1 pt.
Open the Character panel Ctrl + Alt + Shift + K ⌘ + Option + Shift + K Calls up the Character panel while editing text, handy for size, leading and more.
Zoom the canvas in / out Ctrl + + / - ⌘ + + / - Zooms the whole canvas so you can fine-tune the type.
Confirm the transform Enter Return Applies the Free Transform.
Cancel the transform Esc Esc Discards the current transform.

These shortcuts work the same way in Photoshop, and getting fluent with them speeds up layout work considerably.

④ Common questions & tips

  • Text looks jagged after enlarging — what now? Use "change the font size directly" to enlarge it; if you really must use Free Transform, convert the text layer to a Smart Object first and then scale, which keeps it reasonably sharp.
  • Resize several text layers at once? Select the text layers (Shift for multi-select) and enter one Size value in the options bar or the Character panel.
  • Keep text proportional without distorting it? In Free Transform, drag a corner handle and make sure "Maintain Aspect Ratio" is locked (on by default), or use the "Horizontal Scale" value in the Character panel.
  • Copy a text style quickly? Right-click the text layer → Copy Layer Style, then right-click the target text layer → Paste Layer Style.
  • Keep editing the text after scaling? Convert the text layer to a Smart Object first (right-click → Convert to Smart Object); double-click the Smart Object to edit and you can still change the font size.

References

  • Adobe Photoshop official documentation
  • HTML5 and modern front-end image processing
  • Online PS
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