How to Change the Language in Outlook (New, Classic, Web and Mac)

Here's the catch. In classic Outlook, language isn't one setting. Microsoft splits it into the display language for menus and buttons, the authoring language you write in, and the proofing language for spelling and grammar, and you can set each one independently. So it's possible to switch the menus to English and still get every word underlined in red, or the other way round. On a Mac, the display language isn't in Outlook at all: it follows your Mac's primary language.

Display, writing and proofing languages explained

Microsoft describes three areas where you might want to change the language, as of October 2026:

• Display language: all the buttons, menus and controls.
• Editing or authoring language: the language you write and edit in. You may need to install a matching keyboard in Windows settings.
• Proofing tools: spelling and grammar check. Microsoft says you'd typically set this to match your authoring language.

Microsoft's own example is having English menus while writing in French. That's a sensible setup if you work in a second language but find the menus easier in your first one.

Where Outlook keeps its language settings

Outlook version	Where to change the language	What it changes
New Outlook for Windows	Settings, General, Language and time	Language (Country/Region), then Save
Outlook on the web and Outlook.com	Settings, General, Language and time	Language (Country/Region), then Save
Classic Outlook for Windows	File, Options, Language	Display, authoring and proofing languages, plus translation
Outlook for Mac	Apple menu, System Preferences, General, Language and Region	Follows the primary language of macOS

If you're not sure which Outlook you've got, Microsoft's rule of thumb is that if the new Outlook steps don't work, you're probably not on new Outlook for Windows yet, so use the classic steps.

Change the language in new Outlook for Windows

1. At the top of the page, select Settings.
2. Select General, then Language and time.
3. In the Language (Country/Region) field, select your language.
4. Select Save.

If you're still deciding whether to move over, my guide on how to switch to the new Outlook covers what changes and how to switch back.

Change the language in Outlook on the web or Outlook.com

1. At the top of the page, select Settings.
2. Select General, then Language and time.
3. In the Language (Country/Region) field, select your language.
4. Select Save.

The steps match new Outlook exactly. If you use a personal Microsoft account, Microsoft adds that you can also choose your preferred display language in your Microsoft account profile settings.

Classic Outlook: menus, writing and translation

1. Open Outlook, select the File tab, then Options and Language.
2. Under Office display language, check the language you want is listed. If it isn't, select Add a Language and follow the instructions.
3. Select the language, then Set as Preferred. To match Windows, choose the Match Microsoft Windows option instead.
4. Under Office authoring languages and proofing, select your writing language and Set as Preferred, or use Add a language.
5. To translate incoming mail, go to Translation, choose how to handle messages received in other languages, and pick a language in Translate messages into.

Watch the proofing status next to each authoring language. If it says Proofing installed, spelling and grammar checks are ready. If it says Proofing available, click the link to install the proofing tools.

If your language isn't on the list at all, Microsoft points you to the Language Accessory Pack for Office, which contains the display and proofing tools for most languages. And if you want to change Office to a different language permanently, Microsoft says you'll get the best results by setting it as your default display language in Windows first.

Outlook for Mac follows macOS

Microsoft Office for Mac already contains all the available languages, so there's nothing to download. The catch is that the display language comes from your Mac:

1. On the Apple menu, choose System Preferences, then General and Language & Region.
2. In the Preferred Languages list, drag the language you want to the top to make it your primary language.
3. If it isn't there, press the plus button to add it.
4. Restart your Office app for the change to take effect.

Don't skip the restart: the new language won't show until you quit Outlook and open it again.

Time zone settings sit right next to language

Language and time zone are neighbours in Outlook's settings, and a change of country usually means both. In new Outlook, Outlook on the web and Outlook.com, select Settings, then Calendar and View:

1. Under Time zones, open Display my calendar in time zone and choose your time zone.
2. Add a name in the Label field if you want one.
3. Tick When I travel across time zones, ask me if I want to update my time zone if you move about.
4. Select Add time zone to show another one, search for a city in that zone, and select Save.

In classic Outlook, go to File, Options, Calendar, type a label for the current zone under Time zones and pick the zone you want. You can tick Show a second time zone and, in the latest Outlook for Microsoft 365, Show a third time zone. Other classic versions, including Outlook 2019 LTSC and Outlook 2016, show only two. Swap Time Zones switches their positions.

One detail explains a lot of confusing meeting times. Outlook saves calendar start and end times in Coordinated Universal Time and shows them in each person's local time. Microsoft's example is a 2:00 P.M. PST meeting that an attendee in Mountain time sees as 3:00 P.M. MST: both are the same moment, 10:00 P.M. UTC. A second time zone is only visible when you view the calendar in day or week view.

Reordering or removing extra time zones

Once you've added a second zone, you'll probably want it in the right place. In new Outlook, Outlook on the web and Outlook.com, go back to Settings, Calendar, View. Under Other time zones, select Move down or Move up to swap their positions, or Remove to take one off, then select Save.

There's a small difference in Microsoft's wording here. For new Outlook, it says you can swap positions once you have two or more time zones showing. For Outlook on the web and Outlook.com, it says three or more. If the swap option isn't there on the web with only two zones, that's why.

In classic Outlook, go to File, Options, and on the Calendar tab under Time zones, clear the checkboxes for the extra zones to remove them. When two zones are shown, Outlook uses the meeting organiser's time zone as the reference point. If you organise a meeting and show free/busy time for invitees in other zones, Outlook adjusts their busy times so they appear correctly in yours.

My verdict on Outlook language settings

I'd change the display language in Settings, General, Language and time if you're on new Outlook or the web, because it's four steps and you're done. If you're on classic Outlook and only the spelling checks are wrong, I'd leave the display language alone and fix the authoring and proofing language instead. Once the language is right, it's worth a quick look at your Outlook font too, since a new setup is the easiest time to get both sorted.

Frequently asked questions

Why didn't my Outlook language change everywhere?

Outlook's display, authoring and proofing languages can be set independently. For a complete, permanent change, Microsoft suggests setting the language as your default display language in Windows first.

How do I change the language in Outlook on a Mac?

Office for Mac uses your Mac's primary language. Go to System Preferences, General, Language and Region, drag the language to the top of Preferred Languages, then restart Outlook.

What if the language I want isn't listed in classic Outlook?

Select Add a Language under Office display language and follow the instructions. If it still isn't available, Microsoft points you to the Language Accessory Pack for Office.

Where do I change the time zone in new Outlook?

Select Settings, then Calendar and View. Under Time zones, choose Display my calendar in time zone, pick your zone and select Save.

Why can't I swap time zones in Outlook on the web?

Microsoft says you can swap time zone positions in Outlook on the web and Outlook.com when three or more time zones are shown. In new Outlook, two or more is enough.

How many time zones can Outlook show?

The latest versions of Outlook for Microsoft 365 can show up to three time zones in the calendar. Other classic versions, including Outlook 2019 LTSC and Outlook 2016, show two.