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Last Updated · February 04, 2026

How to Zoom In and Out on PC: All Easy Methods Explained

How to zoom in and out on PC

Have you ever found yourself squinting to read a short email on your PC screen? Or maybe you're looking at a photo and wish you could see a bit more detail? It’s a common frustration for many of us. But the good news is, it doesn’t have to be difficult to zoom in and out on your PC.

In this article, we’ll walk you through 5 simple ways to zoom in and out on your PC, so you can stop straining your eyes over small text or blurry images!

Method 1: Zoom In and Out on PC Using Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Zoom In: Hold Ctrl and press +.
  • Zoom Out: Hold Ctrl and press -.
  • Reset Zoom: Hold Ctrl and press 0 to return to the normal size.

Method 2: Zoom In and Out on PC Using Mouse or Touchpad

  • With a Mouse: Hold Ctrl and scroll the mouse wheel away from you to zoom in, or toward you to zoom out.
  • With a Touchpad: Place two fingers on the pad and move them apart to zoom in, or pinch them together to zoom out.

Method 3: Use Windows Magnifier to Zoom In and Out

  • Press Windows + "+" to turn on the Magnifier.
  • Use the toolbar buttons to zoom in or out.
  • Press Windows + Esc to exit and return to normal view.

Use Windows Magnifier to zoom in and out

Method 4: Zooming in on Yourself During Calls (For Professionals)

Keyboard and mouse tricks can help you zoom in on text or images, but they don’t solve the issue when you’re in a video call or giving a business presentation. If you’re standing up, moving to a whiteboard, or walking around the room, you need an AI Tracking webcam that handles the zooming for you automatically.

Recommended Solution: OBSBOT Tiny 3 for 4K PTZ Webcam

If you want to look professional during video calls, the OBSBOT Tiny 3 is the ultimate tool. As the smallest 4k PTZ Webcam with "Titan" power, it features advanced AI Tracking 2.0 to keep you perfectly centered and focused without you ever touching your keyboard.

  • Intelligent AI Zoom & Tracking: With AI Tracking 2.0 (Human & Voice Tracking), the camera physically pans, tilts, and zooms to keep you in the perfect frame automatically.
  • Magic Gesture Control 2.0: Effortlessly zoom in or out up to 4x just by using simple hand gestures.
  • Stunning 4K Clarity: The 1/1.28" CMOS sensor ensures professional 4K resolution.
  • Immersive Audio: Built-in Stereo Mic System ensures your voice is clear.

Method 5: Zoom In and Out in Specific Apps

  • Microsoft Word/Excel: Use the zoom slider in the lower-right corner to adjust page size.
  • PDF Readers & Image Apps: Click the magnifying glass icon to zoom in on parts of the document.

Which Zoom Method Should You Use on PC?

Method Best For
Keyboard Shortcuts Quick fixes on websites or emails
Mouse and Touchpad Smoothly adjusting the view while reading
Windows Magnifier Zooming in on small details anywhere on the screen
OBSBOT Tiny 3 Looking professional during video calls with AI tracking 2.0 and 4k PTZ Webcam capabilities
App Settings Adjusting the size of documents or sheets

FAQs About How to Zoom In and Out on PC

How do I zoom with the F key?

Most computers don’t have the F keys set to zoom, but in some browsers, pressing F11 will make the window full-screen. Some special keyboards allow you to customize F keys, but it is not standard.

How do you zoom in and out with Ctrl?

To zoom in or out, just hold Ctrl and:

  • Press + to zoom in.
  • Press - to zoom out.
  • Press 0 to return to the original size.

What does Ctrl + \ do?

This shortcut is not a standard Zoom function. It is typically used in coding or writing apps to hide side menus.

What is Ctrl + N?

This shortcut is for creating a new window or document (e.g., a new browser window, a new Word document).

Final Words

Learning how to zoom in and out on your PC is easy. For quick fixes, use keyboard shortcuts. For professional video calls, the OBSBOT Tiny 3 with its AI Tracking 2.0 is the best investment to ensure you always look sharp without manual adjustments.