Telegram Desktop doesn’t offer built-in settings to change its font. However, it follows the Windows system font by default. Do you want to give Telegram a fresh look with a different font style? You can achieve this by tweaking the Windows registry. This guide will walk you through the process using the Registry Editor (Regedit) on Windows 11. If you don’t have the Telegram Desktop App, can you download it here?
Table of Contents
Steps: Change Telegram’s Font via Regedit
⚠️ Important Note: Modifying the registry can affect your system. Please follow the steps carefully and back up your registry beforehand. For the moment, you can try this solution first to change the Telegram font on the Windows Desktop App.
1. Choose the Font You Want
Pick a font that is already installed on your system (e.g., Segoe UI, Comic Sans MS, Arial, Verdana, Tahoma, etc.). You’ll need the exact name of the font. In this tip, I show you how to use font Tahoma, so you can use it with another font that you like.
2. Open Registry Editor
- Press
Win + R
to open the Run dialog. - Type
regedit
and hit Enter. - If prompted by UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to allow.

After clicking on OK => Yes

Go to the following registry path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts

👉 Here you can confirm the names of fonts installed on your system, which will help with the next steps.
4. Create a New Registry Script
Instead of editing registry keys manually (which can be tedious), it’s easier to create a .reg
file:
- Open Notepad.
- Paste the following template:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]
"MS Shell Dlg 2"="YourFontName" (Tahoma)
👉 Replace "YourFontName"
with the exact name of the font you want to use, e.g., "Hahoma"
.

Then, clicking on OK,
- You can also create a new file with a note file. Enter your preferred font and save the file with a
.reg
extension, like: ChangeFont.reg
5. Apply the Registry File
- Double-click the
.reg
file you just saved. - Accept the warning and confirm that you want to make changes.
6. Restart Your Computer
To apply the changes, restart your PC. Once Windows boots up, system fonts (including those in Telegram Desktop) should reflect your new font choice.
Wrapping Up
That’s it! You’ve now that by modifying the Windows system font through the Registry Editor. Keep in mind, this change will affect other apps that rely on the system font too.
If you ever want to revert to the default font, you can either:
- Delete the
"Segoe UI"
override inFontSubstitutes
, or - Restore your registry from the backup you (hopefully) created.
You can try this solution to change the Telegram font on your Windows desktop App. If this solution doesn’t work, you can try the tip mentioned above. Enjoy your customized Telegram experience! 💬✨
The short answer is that Telegram doesn’t use a single proprietary font. Instead, it uses a combination of standard system fonts. These high-quality fonts change depending on your device and operating system.
This approach has several advantages: it ensures native performance, maintains familiarity for the user, and keeps the app’s size small.
1. The Philosophy: System Fonts First
Telegram’s core philosophy is to use the default system fonts provided by iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. This means the app automatically blends in with the look and feel of your device.
- On Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac): Telegram primarily uses San Francisco (SF). This is Apple’s system font, designed for maximum legibility and clarity on their displays. You’ll see this in the chat list, message text, and most interface elements.
- On Android devices: Telegram uses Roboto. Roboto is Google’s signature system font, known for its modern and approachable feel. It’s the default for most Android interfaces.
- On Windows: The app typically uses Segoe UI, Microsoft’s system font for a clean and professional look.
2. The Monospace Font for Code: Roboto Mono
One very important exception is when you send messages formatted as code. To ensure proper alignment and readability (crucial for programmers), Telegram switches to a monospaced font.
- The primary font for code blocks and inline code is
Roboto Mono
. This is a monospaced version of the Roboto font family. Every character and symbol takes up the same amount of horizontal space.
You can see this in action by using Telegram’s formatting syntax:
- Inline code: Wrap text in backticks
`like this`
- Code blocks: Wrap text in triple backticks
```like this```
3. Custom Fonts in Stories (A New Feature)
A more recent development is the introduction of custom fonts for Telegram Stories. This feature allows you to choose from a selection of decorative fonts to make your stories stand out. These are not system fonts but are built into the Telegram app specifically for this creative purpose.
Some examples of these story fonts include:
- Classic: A clean, serif font.
- Outline: A font with a hollow effect.
- Breakfast: A playful, handwritten style.
- Typewriter: A classic monospace typewriter font.
- Italic, Bold, and other stylistic variants.
4. Changing the Font in Your Messages
It’s a common question: “Can I change the font style in my regular chats?” The answer is no, not directly.
You cannot change the system font that displays messages system-wide. However, you can simulate different font styles using two methods:
- Text Formatting: You can use symbols to make text bold, italic,
monospace
, orstrikethrough. This is the intended method for adding emphasis. - External Font Generators: Some websites and apps can convert your text into various “fancy fonts”. They do this using Unicode characters, such as 𝔉𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔶 𝔗𝔢𝔵𝔱, 𝒮𝒸𝓇𝒾𝓅𝓉, or 🅲🅸🆁🅲🅻🅴🅳. You can copy this converted text and paste it into Telegram. Note: The recipient must have a font that supports these special Unicode characters for it to display correctly.
Summary
Context | Primary Font(s) Used | Notes |
---|---|---|
iOS/Mac App Interface | San Francisco (SF) | Apple’s system font for a native feel. |
Android App Interface | Roboto | Google’s system font for a native feel. |
Windows Desktop App | Segoe UI | Microsoft’s system font. |
Code Blocks & Inline Code | Roboto Mono | A monospaced font essential for code readability. |
Telegram Stories | Various Custom Fonts | A selection of built-in decorative fonts (e.g., Classic, Outline). |
Regular Chat Messages | Your Device’s System Font | Cannot be changed to a different font family globally. |
In conclusion, Telegram’s “font” is a smart use of your device’s default system fonts. This ensures a fast, familiar, and clean experience. There is a specific addition of Roboto Mono
for technical content. Custom fonts are used for creative expression in Stories.
Discover more from How To Kh
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
1 Comment
er4mj3