I am using an iMac 5k display. The system display font is really too small but the only way the system gives, the casual operator, to change the size of the system display font is to reduce the screen resolution. This frustrates me since I have a 5k screen and I want to use it for fine lines and large text/fonts simultaneously.
Another solution is to put my nose up against the screen or wear reading/computer glasses – these solutions are not what I seek.
I would imagine that there is a way to change this font size setting by using the console/terminal.
Does anyone know how to do that and would you be so kind as to share the information?
Best Answer
A not universal subset of user interface fonts can be changed while keeping the actual resolution the same. (Note that 'the Apple-sanctioned way' is detailed in bmike's answer.)
This effect is limited, not always a good idea, but easily achieved with the free tool:
TinkerTool.
An illustration of the capabilities:
Default values:
'Tinkered values':
Bigger 'tinkered values', also showing the limits of this method even in those applications that will respect these choices:
This solution seems to be most useful if screen real estate is of great concern – like on a laptop – and 'the Apple-way' of scaling only offers 'not fine enough' choices for a user. For example if you prefer the smaller UI elements of a 'higher resolution' but would then need some slightly bigger fonts to avoid eye strain.