diff --git a/src/material/paginator/paginator.ts b/src/material/paginator/paginator.ts
index 847d1c60a6c1..27869fe6cfc7 100644
--- a/src/material/paginator/paginator.ts
+++ b/src/material/paginator/paginator.ts
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ export class MatPaginator implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
       }
     }
 
-    this._formFieldAppearance = defaults?.formFieldAppearance || 'outline';
+    this._formFieldAppearance = defaults?.formFieldAppearance || 'fill';
   }
 
   ngOnInit() {