How do I zoom in and out in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

In Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC, scroll the mouse wheel to zoom the cockpit or external camera. The standard keyboard profile also uses the equals/plus key to zoom in and minus to zoom out. If these do nothing, bind the matching cockpit or external zoom commands in Controls Options.

Which camera zoom command should I use?

Cockpit, external and drone views use different zoom commands, so a binding that works in one view may do nothing in another.

On keyboards where the equals and plus symbols share a key, the binding may appear as Equals; the separate numeric-keypad plus key is not necessarily treated as the same input. Our printable list of MSFS camera and keyboard commands provides a useful reference for the standard PC layout.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 presets can differ from MSFS 2020 mappings, particularly after changing profiles or platforms. The command name is therefore more reliable than memorising a key; use our method for finding controls in the active MSFS 2024 keyboard preset if the expected defaults are absent.

How do I zoom with a controller?

On an Xbox or PlayStation controller, select the controller itself in Controls Options and search for zoom.

1. Select the active controller profile. Editing the keyboard profile will not change a gamepad command.
2. Search by control name. Find the cockpit, external or drone zoom commands required for the view you use.
3. Assign zoom in and zoom out. Choose two convenient buttons or a suitable button combination.
4. Check for conflicts. Remove an unwanted duplicate if the same input operates another camera function.
5. Apply and save the profile. Test both directions from the relevant camera mode.

Default controller combinations vary between simulator editions, platforms and selected presets. Checking the active profile avoids copying an Xbox combination that does not match a PlayStation or customised PC layout.

Why is camera zoom not working?

A dead zoom control usually means the wrong camera command, device profile or window has focus.

• The cursor is over a cockpit control: the mouse wheel may turn a knob instead of zooming. Move the pointer away from switches and displays.
• A toolbar or menu has focus: close the panel or click back into the flight view before testing the wheel or keyboard.
• The wrong camera is active: cockpit commands do not control the external or drone camera.
• The wrong device is selected: confirm that you edited the keyboard, mouse or controller profile actually in use.
• The preset was changed: search for Unzoom as well as Zoom; Microsoft Flight Simulator uses “Unzoom” for several zoom-out commands.
• The key differs with the keyboard layout: bind a new pair of keys rather than relying on the printed plus and minus symbols.

Is camera zoom the same as moving the viewpoint?

No. Zoom changes the camera's field of view, while translation physically moves the virtual camera.

Use moderate cockpit zoom when instruments are too small to read. If zooming cuts off the glareshield, yoke or side window, move the cockpit viewpoint forward, backwards, up or down instead. Excessive zoom produces a narrow, telescope-like view with little peripheral vision.

The same distinction matters in drone mode: move the drone closer for a different camera position, or adjust drone zoom to change framing without moving it. Our explanation of drone-camera movement and field-of-view controls covers those controls without confusing zoom with forward movement.

How do I keep my preferred cockpit zoom?

Save a custom cockpit camera if you want Microsoft Flight Simulator to recall both your viewing position and preferred framing for an aircraft.

Set the seat position and zoom first, then store them in a custom cockpit camera slot. This is more dependable than repeatedly adjusting the mouse wheel after switching views or resetting the camera; follow the steps for saving and recalling a custom cockpit camera.