Your Mac makes it easy to quickly zoom out on a Mac on either your whole screen or just an active window or document. You’ll need to activate some of these features in your computer’s Accessibility settings, but it’s simple to set up. This guide shows you how to zoom out using keyboard shortcuts, trackpad gestures, or mouse actions.
Before you start:
- Ensure you have a Mac with a trackpad, keyboard, or mouse.
- Enable zoom features in System Settings > Accessibility > Zoom for full functionality.
How to quickly zoom out on a Mac
Follow these step-by-step methods to zoom out on your entire screen, a single window, or using gestures.
Quick zoom shortcuts and gestures
- If keyboard shortcuts are enabled, press Option + Command + – or Option + Command + 8 to zoom out.
- If trackpad gestures are enabled, double-tap the trackpad with three fingers to toggle zoom.
- In any active window, pinch with two fingers on the trackpad to zoom out.
Using keyboard shortcuts for the whole screen
- Click the Apple menu.
- Click System Settings.
- Click Accessibility.
- Click the Zoom menu on the right.
- Check the box next to Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom.
- Press Option + Command + 8 to toggle zoom in or out.
- Press Option + Command + = to zoom in.
- Press Option + Command + – to zoom out.
Using trackpad gestures for the whole screen
- Open System Settings.
- Click Accessibility.
- Click Zoom.
- Toggle on Use trackpad gesture to zoom.
- Double-tap the trackpad with three fingers to toggle zoom in or out.
- Double-tap and drag with three fingers to adjust the zoom level.
Using a modifier key with a mouse or trackpad
- In Accessibility > Zoom, enable Use scroll gesture with modifier keys to zoom.
- Select a modifier key, such as Control or Command.
- Hold the modifier key and scroll up or down on the mouse wheel to zoom in or out.
- On a Magic Mouse or trackpad, hold the modifier key and swipe upward to zoom in or downward to zoom out.
Modifying your zoom style
- Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility > Zoom.
- Choose a zoom style: Full screen, Split screen, or Picture-in-Picture.
- Click Size and Location to tweak settings for Split screen or Picture-in-Picture.
- Click Advanced… for options like image movement, minimum/maximum zoom factors, shortcut keys, and screen movement speed.
Using keyboard shortcuts for one window
- Open the window you want to zoom.
- Press Command + + (plus) to zoom in.
- Press Command + – (minus) to zoom out. Note: These may not work in every application.
Using the pinch gesture on a trackpad
- Move the cursor to the desired location.
- Place two fingers together on the trackpad.
- Spread your fingers apart to zoom in.
- Pinch your fingers together to zoom out.
- In some apps, double-tap with two fingers for smart zoom.
Mastering zoom controls on your Mac greatly improves accessibility, especially for users with visual impairments or those needing temporary magnification.
These features enhance productivity by allowing quick adjustments without disrupting your workflow, whether editing documents or browsing the web.
Customizing zoom styles and gestures tailors the experience to your hardware, like trackpads or mice, ensuring smooth operation across apps.
Enabling these in Accessibility settings unlocks powerful tools that go beyond basic viewing, supporting better focus and efficiency on your Mac.
