Stellaris: Best settings.txt for UI Size Adjustment

The primary goal for Stellaris UI adjustment is Asset Alignment. When the UI is scaled incorrectly, the “hitboxes” for buttons in the Outliner or the Research tree can become slightly offset. This configuration focuses on setting a manual gui_scale and pairing it with Exclusive Fullscreen to bypass Windows Desktop Manager (DWM) scaling interference.

File Location

The settings.txt file is located in your Documents folder. Ensure the Paradox Launcher and the game are fully closed before editing:

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Stellaris\settings.txt

Technical Configuration (The 2026 “Clean-UI” Template)

Open the file with Notepad++. Search for these specific lines and adjust the values according to your monitor’s resolution:

# Stellaris UI & Display Optimization - GameEngineer.net
# Target: High-Res Legibility & Pixel Clarity

graphics={
	size={
		x=3840
		y=2160
	}
	refreshRate=144
	fullScreen=yes
	borderless=no
	display_index=0
	gui_scale=1.500000
	gui_safe_ratio=1.000000
}

Parameter Breakdown:

• gui_scale 1.500000: This is the critical float value. For 1440p, a value of 1.2 is ideal. For 4K, 1.5 to 1.8 provides the best balance between readability and screen real estate. Use “clean” increments (e.g., 0.1) to avoid font anti-aliasing artifacts.
• fullScreen=yes / borderless=no: Forcing Exclusive Fullscreen is highly recommended when using custom UI scales. It ensures the game handles the scaling internally rather than letting Windows “stretch” the window, which often results in blurry text.
• gui_safe_ratio 1.000000: This ensures the UI utilizes the full width of your screen. If your UI elements are “pushed” too far toward the center, ensure this is set to 1.0.

Strategy for 2026 UI Management

To maintain a clean interface as your Galactic Empire grows:

• The “Outliner” Problem: In late-game Stellaris, the Outliner (right-side menu) becomes incredibly long. A larger gui_scale makes this worse. In 2026, the best practice is to use a “Tiny Outliner” mod in conjunction with a gui_scale of 1.4, allowing you to see more planets without excessive scrolling.
• Font Smoothing (Mods): Stellaris’ default font can struggle at non-integer scales (like 1.35). If you see “jagged” letters, install a Clean UI Font mod from the Steam Workshop. These mods replace the bitmap fonts with vectorized versions that scale perfectly.
• The “Reset” Protocol: If you set the scale too high (e.g., 3.0) and the “Apply” button disappears off-screen, simply close the game and change the gui_scale back to 1.0 in the settings.txt.
• Refresh Rate Lock: Ensure the refreshRate in the text file matches your monitor exactly (e.g., 144, 165, or 240). If this value is wrong, the UI can feel “heavy” or unresponsive during fast panning.

Key Performance Parameters

Resolution	Recommended gui_scale	Visual Impact
1080p	1.0	Native, highest sharpness.
1440p	1.2	Balanced text size for 27-32″ monitors.
4K (2160p)	1.5 – 1.8	Essential for readability; reduces eye strain.
Ultrawide	1.1 – 1.2	Keeps side menus compact to show more of the galaxy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion and Expected Results

By manually adjusting the gui_scale to a resolution-appropriate value and forcing Exclusive Fullscreen in your settings.txt, you are optimizing the Clausewitz Engine for modern display standards. You can expect perfectly legible technology trees, crisp galactic event pop-ups, and a professional-grade interface that stays aligned with your mouse movements even in the most intense late-game sessions.