To enable dark mode in the new Outlook for Windows, Outlook on the web or Outlook.com, select Settings > General > Appearance, choose Dark and select Save; pick Light there to disable it.
Classic Outlook uses the Black Office Theme instead, and Outlook for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android each keep the switch in a different place, so every version is covered below with the exact path.
Quick Reference: Where to Find the Dark Mode Setting
Find your Outlook version in the first column. The second column turns dark mode on, and the third turns it off.
| Your Outlook | Turn dark mode on | Turn dark mode off |
|---|---|---|
| New Outlook for Windows | Settings > General > Appearance > Dark > Save | Same page, select Light or Use system settings > Save |
| Classic Outlook for Windows | File > Office Account > Office Theme > Black | Pick White or Colorful, or keep Black and tick Never change the message background color |
| Outlook on the web and Outlook.com | Settings > General > Appearance > Dark > Save | Same page, select a light option > Save |
| Outlook for Mac | Outlook > Preferences > General > Dark | Select Light, or System to match macOS |
| Outlook for iPhone and iPad | Outlook settings > Appearance > Dark | Select Light, or System Default to match iOS |
| Outlook for Android | Outlook settings > Preferences > Dark Theme | Turn the Dark Theme option off |
What Dark Mode Changes in Outlook
Dark mode swaps Outlook's bright background for a dark one. In the black theme it also gives the message window a black background instead of white, which is the part most people notice.
| Part of Outlook | In dark mode | Can you keep it light? |
|---|---|---|
| Folder pane, message list, ribbon and menus | Dark | Only by leaving dark mode |
| Reading pane (message body) | Dark background | Yes: the sun button in classic Outlook, Turn on the lights on the web, Light Reading Pane in new Outlook |
| Compose window | Dark background | Yes: the dark mode button on the Message toolbar, or Light Reading Pane in new Outlook |
| Original email formatting | Colors are adapted for a dark background | Yes: Turn on the lights shows the original formatting |
Dark mode only changes what you see. The people who receive your messages see them in whatever mode their own Outlook uses.
How to Enable Dark Mode in the New Outlook for Windows
The new Outlook for Windows has its own appearance setting, separate from the Office Theme used by classic Outlook.
- Open the new Outlook for Windows.
- Select Settings (the gear icon) at the top of the window.
- Select General, then Appearance.
- Under Dark mode, select Dark.
- Select Save.
To make new Outlook follow Windows, select Use system settings instead of Dark. Outlook then switches whenever Windows does; the Windows switch lives in Settings > Personalization > Colors, covered in Windows 11 dark mode: how to enable or force it.
To disable dark mode, return to Settings > General > Appearance, select Light, and select Save.
How to Enable or Disable Dark Mode in Classic Outlook for Windows
Classic Outlook has no separate dark mode switch. Dark mode comes with the Black Office Theme.
- In classic Outlook, select File on the toolbar.
- Select Office Account.
- Under Office Theme, select Black to turn dark mode on.
- To turn it off, select White or Colorful in the same list.
- Select the back arrow at the top to return to your mailbox.
For a less dark look, choose Dark Gray from the same list. Use system setting picks White or Black to match Windows light or dark mode. The same list is also under File > Options > General > Office Theme.
How to Toggle the Email Reading Background in Classic Outlook
With the Black theme on, you can keep the dark interface and still read an individual message on white. A button at the top of the message window switches it.
- Open or select a message in classic Outlook with the Black theme on.
- Select the sun button at the top of the message window to make the background white.
- Select the moon button to make the background black again.
- While writing a message, use the dark mode button on the Message toolbar to switch the compose window between white and black.
- To keep every message white permanently, select File > Options, leave Office Theme on Black, and tick Never change the message background color.
- Select OK.
With Never change the message background color ticked, the sun and moon buttons are no longer available. Clear the check box to get them back.
How to Enable or Disable Dark Mode in Outlook on the Web
Outlook on the web and Outlook.com share the same settings page and the same steps.
- Sign in to Outlook.com or Outlook on the web.
- Select Settings at the top of the page.
- Select General, then Appearance.
- Under Dark mode, select Dark to turn it on, or the light option to turn it off.
- Select Save.
The same Appearance page also holds the mailbox themes. If a single message is hard to read, select Turn on the lights at the top of the reading pane; if you do not see it, look under More. To darken the browser around Outlook as well, see how to enable dark mode for Chrome on Windows.
How to Enable or Disable Dark Mode in Outlook for Mac
Outlook for Mac follows macOS by default, and you can override it in Outlook's own preferences.
- Open Outlook and select Outlook > Preferences in the menu bar.
- Select General.
- Under the appearance options, select Dark to force dark mode regardless of macOS.
- Select Light to disable dark mode regardless of macOS.
- Select System to match the macOS light or dark setting.
To switch macOS itself, select the Apple menu > System Settings > Appearance, then choose Light or Dark. Outlook set to System follows that choice.
How to Enable or Disable Dark Mode in Outlook for iPhone and iPad
On iOS 13 or later, Outlook 4.5.0 and newer follows the iPhone or iPad Dark Mode automatically. Change it in the app only if you want Outlook to differ from the rest of the device.
- Open Outlook and go to the app's settings.
- Tap Appearance.
- Select Dark to turn dark mode on, or Light to turn it off.
- Select System Default to follow the device setting again.
- To switch the whole device, open the Settings app, tap Appearance, and select Dark or Light.
On the device, select Automatic under Appearance and tap Options to put Dark Mode on a schedule. You can also touch and hold the brightness bar in Control Center and select Dark Mode.
How to Enable or Disable Dark Mode in Outlook for Android
Outlook for Android keeps its dark theme under the app's Preferences, with an option to tie it to Battery Saver.
- Open Outlook and go to the app's settings.
- Under Preferences, open the Dark Theme option.
- Select Dark Theme to keep dark mode on until you turn it off.
- Select Set by Battery Saver to go dark only when the phone is in Battery Saver mode.
- To disable it, turn the Dark Theme option off in the same place.
The Android system switch is separate: open Settings > Display and turn Dark theme on or off, or use the dark theme tile in Quick Settings. Some of these steps need Android 13 or later.
How to Enable Dark Mode for Outlook Calendar
Microsoft lists no calendar-only dark mode switch. The setting sits in the app-wide Appearance options, so the calendar takes the mode you set for Outlook.
| Where you view the calendar | What to change |
|---|---|
| New Outlook for Windows, Outlook on the web, Outlook.com | Settings > General > Appearance > Dark > Save |
| Classic Outlook for Windows | File > Office Account > Office Theme > Black |
| Outlook for Mac | Outlook > Preferences > General > Dark or System |
| Outlook for iPhone, iPad and Android | The app's Appearance or Dark Theme setting, or the device's own dark mode |
Why Some Emails Still Look White in Dark Mode
A white message inside a dark Outlook window is almost always one of three per-message or reading-pane settings, not a failed switch.
| What you see | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| One message is white, others are dark | The sun button (classic Outlook) or Turn on the lights (web) was selected for it | Select the moon button, or select Turn on the lights again |
| Every message and the compose window are white in new Outlook | Light Reading Pane is selected on the View tab | Select Light Reading Pane again to clear it |
| Every message is white in classic Outlook with the Black theme | Never change the message background color is ticked | Clear it under File > Options |
| Colors in a message look different from the sender's design | Dark mode shows the message on a dark background | Select the sun button or Turn on the lights to see the original formatting |
How to check dark mode is on
- Look at the folder pane and message list. Both should have a dark background.
- Open a message. The body should be dark; in classic Outlook a sun button at the top switches it to white.
- Start a new message and check that the compose window is dark, unless you chose a light reading pane.
- On Mac, iPhone and iPad, switch the device to Light. If Outlook stays dark, the app is set to Dark rather than System or System Default.
How to Fix Dark Mode Not Working in Outlook
First confirm which Outlook you are using: the new Outlook has Settings at the top, while classic Outlook has a File tab. The fixes differ.
The Dark Mode setting is missing in Outlook for iPhone or Android
The app needs a restart before the setting appears.
- Open the multitasking screen on the phone.
- Swipe up on the Outlook thumbnail to close it.
- Tap the Outlook icon to reopen the app.
- Check the app's settings for Appearance or Dark Theme again.
Classic Outlook stays light even though Windows is in dark mode
Only Use system setting or Black makes classic Outlook dark; White, Colorful and Dark Gray ignore Windows.
- Select File > Office Account.
- Under Office Theme, select Black, or Use system setting to follow Windows.
- If Windows is the source, confirm Settings > Personalization > Colors > Choose your mode is set to Dark.
New Outlook or Outlook for Mac does not follow the system setting
The app is set to a fixed Light or Dark value.
- In new Outlook, open Settings > General > Appearance and select Use system settings, then Save.
- In Outlook for Mac, open Outlook > Preferences > General and select System.
- Check the operating system's own light or dark setting.
Outlook for Android turns dark only some of the time
The dark theme is set to Set by Battery Saver.
- Open the app's settings and go to Preferences > Dark Theme.
- Select Dark Theme to keep it on all the time.
The sun and moon buttons are missing in classic Outlook
Never change the message background color is ticked.
- Select File > Options.
- Clear Never change the message background color.
- Select OK.
Dark Mode vs. Themes: What Is the Difference?
In classic Outlook the two are the same control: dark mode is part of the Black Office Theme. In the new Outlook and on the web, the mode and the mailbox theme are separate choices on one page.
| Outlook | Dark mode control | Theme control |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Outlook for Windows | Black Office Theme | Office Theme list: Use system setting, White, Dark Gray, Black, Colorful |
| New Outlook, Outlook on the web, Outlook.com | Dark mode under Settings > General > Appearance | Mailbox themes on the same Appearance page |
| Outlook for Mac | Light, Dark or System in Preferences > General | Personalize theme in Preferences > General |
Tips for Using Outlook Dark Mode Comfortably
| Goal | Setting to use |
|---|---|
| Dark at night, light by day on iPhone or iPad | Device Settings > Appearance > Automatic, with Outlook on System Default |
| Dark interface but white messages in new Outlook | View tab > Light Reading Pane |
| Dark interface but white messages in classic Outlook | Black theme plus Never change the message background color |
| Softer contrast in classic Outlook | Dark Gray Office Theme instead of Black |
| Save battery on Android only when needed | Dark Theme > Set by Battery Saver |
| Check how a message will look to recipients | Select the sun button or Turn on the lights before sending |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enable dark mode in Outlook?
In the new Outlook, Outlook on the web and Outlook.com, select Settings > General > Appearance, choose Dark and select Save. In classic Outlook, select File > Office Account and set Office Theme to Black. Outlook for Mac, iPhone and Android use their own appearance settings.
How do I turn off dark mode in Outlook?
In the new Outlook or on the web, open Settings > General > Appearance, select Light or Use system settings, and select Save. In classic Outlook, change Office Theme from Black to White or Colorful under File > Office Account.
How do I disable dark mode permanently in Outlook?
Set the app to a fixed light option rather than following the system. Choose Light in new Outlook, Outlook for Mac and Outlook for iPhone. In classic Outlook, choose White, or keep Black and tick Never change the message background color so messages always stay white.
What does enable dark mode mean in Outlook?
Enabling dark mode swaps Outlook's bright white background for a dark one across the folder pane, message list and reading pane. It is meant to be easier on the eyes in low light. It changes only your view, not how recipients see your messages.
How do I enable dark mode on Microsoft Outlook.com?
Sign in to Outlook.com, select Settings at the top of the page, then General > Appearance. Under Dark mode, select Dark and select Save.
How do I enable dark mode in Windows so Outlook follows it?
Open Settings > Personalization > Colors and set Choose your mode to Dark. Then set new Outlook to Use system settings, or set classic Outlook's Office Theme to Use system setting, and Outlook switches with Windows.
How do I disable dark mode on a laptop for Outlook only?
Leave Windows as it is and set Outlook itself to light. In new Outlook select Light under Settings > General > Appearance. In classic Outlook pick the White or Colorful Office Theme instead of Use system setting or Black.
Conclusion
Set Outlook to follow the system (Use system settings, Use system setting, System or System Default) and control light and dark from Windows, macOS, iOS or Android. One device-level switch, or a schedule, then changes Outlook and your other apps together, and the sun button or Light Reading Pane still covers any message that reads better on white.
