How To Zoom In on Chrome Using Your Keyboard

Chrome is one of the most used web browsers on PCs and smartphones. It is undoubtedly a powerful web browser that gives users access to resource-demanding websites. However, while browsing some websites, the font may seem too small, which you might find difficult to read. In such a case, you can easily zoom in on the text. But how does one zoom in on Chrome using a keyboard? 

The zoom functionality of Chrome does not depend on your screen’s resolution or the website’s font setting. Also, you can use the zoom functionality on most PC platforms, such as Windows, macOS, and even Chrome OS.

This article elaborates more on how you can zoom in and out on Chrome. 

Different Ways To Zoom In on Chrome Using Your Keyboard 

Zooming is as easy as pinching your screen in or out with two fingers if you use a smartphone. At the same time, this feature is also available on PCs if your PC has touchscreen functionality. But since most PCs don’t have a touchscreen, you will have to use your keyboard, trackpad, and mouse. 

By default, Chrome comes with a zoom level set at 100%. To adjust the zoom level with just your trackpad or mouse, tap on the three dots at the top right corner of your screen. In the menu, click on the “+” to zoom in and the “-” to zoom out. Or better still, you can tap on the box beside the “+” icon to set your screen to full-screen mode. 

But if, for one reason or another, be it convenience or your mouse or trackpad is not functioning, you can also use the keyboard on your PC to adjust the zoom level. Below we explain three methods you can use to adjust the zoom setting in Chrome using the keyboard. 

Method #1: Using Shortcut Keys

If you prefer to press a few keys on your PC to zoom, this method is for you. It does not matter whether you are using Windows, Linux, macOS, or ChromeOS; there is a short key you can use to zoom in and out when needed with a few combinations of keys. 

Here is how to use shortcut keys to zoom in on Chrome.

• On a Windows, Chrome OS, and Linux PC, press and hold the Ctrl button plus the “+” sign to zoom in and the Ctrl button plus the “-” sign to zoom out. 
• On a macOS PC, press and hold the Command button plus the “+” sign to zoom in and the command plus the “-” sign to zoom out.  

Method #2: Using Gestures  

Another way to zoom in on Chrome is using gestures with your trackpad. Your trackpad must have the multi-touch feature for this method to work. You can use a mouse wheel if your PC does not have a multi-touch trackpad.  

To use gestures to zoom in on Chrome, you must enable gesture scrolling on your PC trackpad. 

• On a Windows PC, press and hold the Ctrl button and scroll up to zoom in or the Ctrl button and scroll down to zoom out. 
• On a macOS PC, press and hold the Command button and scroll up to zoom in or the Command button and scroll down to zoom out. 

Method #3: Using Extensions

There is also an extension you can download from the Chrome Web Store, which comes in very handy when you need to zoom through web pages. This extension is called Zoom for Google Chrome and is designed by Steganvd. With this app, you can zoom from 1 to 400%. 

Here is how to use the Chrome extension to zoom in on Chrome.

1. Go to Chrome Web Store and search for the app. 
2. Tap on “Add to Chrome”; it will download and automatically be installed as an extension. 
3. When the extension is added, to zoom, tap on the “Z” icon and use the tab button to navigate and enter to click. 

Conclusion 

You can use many keyboard shortcuts in the Chrome browser, such as Ctrl + N to open the new tab, Ctrl + J to open the download tab, and even a keyboard shortcut to zoom in and out. So, when next you find yourself on that particular web page where you have to zoom in or out, use any of the methods elaborated in this guide to zoom easily.