How do I use VS Code's accessibility features?
Jun 25, 2025 am 12:06 AMTo improve accessibility of VS Code, you can adjust the font size and zoom level, use high-contrast themes and custom colors, enable keyboard navigation and voice control, etc. 1. Adjust the font size and zoom level: You can search for "font size" in the settings or use Ctrl/Ctrl - shortcut keys to adjust the overall zoom of the editor and interface; at the same time, you can enable "Mouse Wheel Zoom" to achieve fast zoom. 2. Use high-contrast themes and color customization: Reduce visual fatigue by selecting the "High Contrast" theme or manually modifying the color configuration. 3. Enable keyboard navigation and voice control: master shortcut keys such as Ctrl P to open files, and combine them with screen readers or voice input tools to achieve efficient operation. In addition, you can further optimize the experience through the command panel and custom shortcut keys.
Using VS Code's accessibility features is a great way to make coding more comfortable, especially if you have visual or motor impairments. The good news is that VS Code comes with built-in tools and settings designed to improve readability, navigation, and overall usability.
Adjusting Font Size and Zoom Level
One of the simplest but most effective changes you can make is adjusting the font size and zoom level. If reading small text is a challenge, this tweak can make a noticeable difference.
- You can increase the font size in the editor by going to File > Preferences > Settings (or press
Ctrl ,
), then searching for “font size” and setting your preferred value. - Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut
Ctrl
to zoom in andCtrl -
to zoom out. This affects the entire UI, not just the editor text, which can help with menu visibility.
Another useful tip: enable the "Mouse Wheel Zoom" option. This lets you hold Ctrl
and scroll your mouse wheel to zoom in and out quickly — handy when jumping between files or presentations.
High Contrast Themes and Color Customization
VS Code supports high contrast themes, which are essential for users who need strong visual separation between elements.
- Go to File > Preferences > Color Theme (or
Ctrl K Ctrl T
) and look for themes labeled “High Contrast.” These themes ensure text stands out clearly against backgrounds. - If none of the default themes work for you, you can customize colors manually using the
workbench.colorCustomizations
setting in your user settings JSON file. For example, changing the editor background or selection color can reduce eye strain.
Also, consider turning on "Accessibility Support" mode , which tells VS Code to optimize its behavior for screen readers and similar tools. You can toggle it via File > Preferences > Accessibility .
Keyboard Navigation and Voice Control
If using a mouse is difficult, getting comfortable with keyboard shortcuts and voice control options can save time and effort.
- Learn basic navigation shortcuts like
Ctrl \
to open the sidebar,Ctrl P
to quickly open files, andCtrl Shift E
to focus the Explorer panel. - VS Code works well with Windows Narrator, macOS VoiceOver, and other screen readers. Just make sure you've enabled accessibility support as mentioned earlier.
- For voice input users, some developers pair VS Code with tools like Windows Speech Recognition or third-party apps like Talon Voice to navigate and write code hands-free.
A few extra tips:
- Use the command palette (
Ctrl Shift P
) to execute commands without navigating menus. - Customize your keyboard shortcuts under File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts if the defaults don't suit your needs.
Basically that's it. With these adjustments, VS Code becomes much more inclusive and easier to use for a wider range of users.
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