Enable Fractional Scaling in Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide

Fractional scaling in Ubuntu lets you set the display size to intermediate steps like 125% or 150%, instead of jumping from 100% straight to 200%. On a high-resolution screen, text and buttons often look too small at 100% and too big at 200%. A step in between usually fixes that.

Ubuntu keeps this option switched off by default. The steps below turn it on from the Settings app, so you gain finer control over how large everything looks on your desktop. The change takes effect straight away, and you can undo it at any time.

How to turn on or off fractional scaling in Ubuntu Linux

You turn fractional scaling on or off in the Settings app. Open the Displays panel, flip the Fractional Scaling switch, and then pick a percentage under the Scale option. Ubuntu keeps most of its settings in this one app, including system configuration, user management and updates.

Start by opening Settings:

1. Click Activities in the top-left corner of the screen to open the Activities overview.
2. Type Settings into the search🔍 box.
3. Click the Settings icon in the results. The Settings⚙️ window opens.

You can also open Settings from the System menu:

1. Click the System menu in the top-right corner of your desktop. This is the area with the network, volume and battery icons.
2. Select Settings from the menu that drops down, as shown below.

Next, open the display options:

1. In the Settings⚙️ window, click the Displays tile in the left sidebar.

Now switch fractional scaling on. You are working in Settings › Displays.

1. Find the Fractional Scaling switch under your monitor.
2. Toggle it to On. The switch changes colour to show it is active.

If you cannot find the switch, check your Ubuntu version and the session you are logged into. The panel can look different between releases, and some newer releases may already list the in-between values under Scale without a separate switch.

With fractional scaling on, the Scale option offers extra values: 125%, 150% and 175%. Pick one and check that text and icons look the right size. If the screen shows a prompt to keep or revert the change, confirm it only if you can read everything comfortably.

That completes the process, and you can now close the Settings app. If an app still looks blurry or the wrong size, close it and open it again, or log out and back in.

Conclusion:

• Fractional scaling in Ubuntu Linux allows for more precise control over the display scaling options, particularly beneficial for devices with high-resolution displays.
• Enabling fractional scaling provides additional scaling values such as 125%, 150%, and 175%, offering more flexibility in customizing the display size.
• The System Settings panel in Ubuntu Linux provides a straightforward method for toggling fractional scaling on or off, catering to individual preferences and display requirements.
• This enhanced scaling functionality enhances the overall user experience on Ubuntu, ensuring a more tailored and visually optimized display.