This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Default font-size 12px differs from standard 16px at Chromium and also from Firefox Chrome and IE at Windows

  • 3 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 78 views
  • Last reply by GertKraats

more options

Ubuntu 14.04 with Firefox 44.

Default Font-size seems to be 12px. All other browsers (even Firefox at Windows) use 16px. Also the font is not the standard Times New Roman. Although it is a Windows- font it is available at Ubuntu 14.04. So there is no reason to use other defaults.

It might look better, but it makes layout Incompatible with the design, which mostly is done for Windows.

Ubuntu 14.04 with Firefox 44. Default Font-size seems to be 12px. All other browsers (even Firefox at Windows) use 16px. Also the font is not the standard Times New Roman. Although it is a Windows- font it is available at Ubuntu 14.04. So there is no reason to use other defaults. It might look better, but it makes layout Incompatible with the design, which mostly is done for Windows.

Chosen solution

Hi GertKraats, you can mark your reply as the Solution.

For future reference, you might be able to spot a font discrepancy as follows:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button promising to be careful.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste font*size and pause while the list is filtered (for example, to show font.size.variable.x-western).

If any are customized to a smaller size than expected -- these usually appear bolded and have a status of "user set" -- you can right-click > Reset those values.

(3) In the search box above the list, type or paste font.name and pause while the list is filtered (for example, to show font.name.serif.x-western).

If any are customized to an unknown or unwanted font family -- these usually appear bolded and have a status of "user set" -- you can right-click > Reset those values.


If the problem returns on its own, an extension may be modifying the values. Some Linux distributions bundle in theming extensions. You can try disabling those on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right for anything nonessential or unrecognized. I suggest disabling everything you don't recognize and/or do not plan to use for the next 48 hours.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (3)

more options

I did a refresh of Firefox and the default now is 16px as it should be. Have no idea where 12px came from. Also selected default font was unknown to me. Now input fields are still a little too large compared to other browser on Ubuntu and Firefox Windows, but the problem with malfunctioning website is disappeared with current default. So question can be closed.

more options

Chosen Solution

Hi GertKraats, you can mark your reply as the Solution.

For future reference, you might be able to spot a font discrepancy as follows:

(1) In a new tab, type or paste about:config in the address bar and press Enter/Return. Click the button promising to be careful.

(2) In the search box above the list, type or paste font*size and pause while the list is filtered (for example, to show font.size.variable.x-western).

If any are customized to a smaller size than expected -- these usually appear bolded and have a status of "user set" -- you can right-click > Reset those values.

(3) In the search box above the list, type or paste font.name and pause while the list is filtered (for example, to show font.name.serif.x-western).

If any are customized to an unknown or unwanted font family -- these usually appear bolded and have a status of "user set" -- you can right-click > Reset those values.


If the problem returns on its own, an extension may be modifying the values. Some Linux distributions bundle in theming extensions. You can try disabling those on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right for anything nonessential or unrecognized. I suggest disabling everything you don't recognize and/or do not plan to use for the next 48 hours.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

more options

Thanks a lot. Will investigate Firefox at Windows and adjust if necessary