- Resize an artboard by dragging
- Set an exact size in Artboard Options
- The reference point: where the artboard grows from
- Resize the artwork along with the artboard
- Which approach to use
- Rename and organise artboards
- If the design doesn't fit
- A worked example: from a square to a banner
- Working with more than one artboard
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To change the artboard size in Illustrator, select the artboard and drag its bounding box, or open Artboard Options and type exact Width and Height values. To resize the design with it, turn on Scale artwork with Artboard in the Properties panel before you drag.
The artboard is your page, and getting its size wrong at the start is a classic beginner snag. You draw a whole poster, then discover it needs to be a different shape. Illustrator lets you change the size at any time, either by dragging or by typing exact values. The trick is deciding whether your artwork should resize with it, because the default is that it doesn't.
Resize an artboard by dragging
- Choose the Artboard tool, or select the artboard in the Properties panel and choose Edit Artboards.
- Select the artboard you want to change.
- Drag the handles on its bounding box to the size you want.
- Click away from the artboard to confirm.
Dragging is quick when you just need more room. It's not accurate for a fixed size, so for anything that has to be an exact format, use the next method.
Set an exact size in Artboard Options
- Open the Artboards panel, or select the artboard, then open Artboard Options.
- Type the required Width and Height values.
- Check the reference point (below), then click OK.
Adobe confirms you can resize in the Artboard Options dialog box by specifying Width and Height, and that you can also do this from the Artboards panel, the Properties panel or the Control panel. Choose whichever panel is already on screen.
The reference point: where the artboard grows from
When you change a size by typing, Illustrator has to decide which part of the artboard stays put. That's the reference point. In Artboard Options you select one of nine points in the Reference Point grid, then specify the X and Y values. Pick the top-left point and the artboard grows to the right and downwards. Pick the centre and it grows evenly in all directions. If your artboard seems to jump somewhere unexpected, check which point is selected.
| Reference point | Effect when you enlarge |
|---|---|
| Top left | Grows to the right and down |
| Centre | Grows equally in every direction |
| Bottom right | Grows to the left and up |
Resize the artwork along with the artboard
By default the artwork stays the same size when the artboard changes, so you can end up with a design floating in a bigger page or hanging off a smaller one. To resize both together:
- Open Window, then Properties.
- Select the artboard with the Selection tool, then choose Edit Artboards in the Properties panel.
- Select Scale artwork with Artboard.
- Drag the artboard's bounding box. The artwork and the artboard resize in proportion.
The same option is available in the Control panel. It keeps everything aligned, which is exactly what you want when you're turning a square post into a larger one with the same layout. Be careful, though: stroke widths and text sizes may need a check afterwards, because scaling changes how they look.
Which approach to use
| You want... | Do this |
|---|---|
| More room, same artwork size | Drag the bounding box or type a bigger size |
| An exact format | Artboard Options with Width and Height |
| A bigger or smaller version of the whole design | Turn on Scale artwork with Artboard first |
| To keep the left edge fixed | Choose a left reference point before you resize |
Rename and organise artboards
Adobe says you can rename an artboard in the Artboards panel, the Properties panel, the Control panel or Artboard Options. Naming matters when a file has several artboards, such as a logo in three formats, because exports use the names. Short, clear names like 'square' and 'banner' beat 'Artboard 4'.
If the design doesn't fit
- Turn on Scale artwork with Artboard and resize again, rather than redrawing.
- Move artwork back inside using the Selection tool.
- Check you haven't scaled the artboard when you meant to scale only the artwork.
- Use the Undo command straight away if the result looks wrong.
If your artboard is for a logo, my guides to free logo makers and graphic design terms might help, and sending an Illustrator file covers sharing the result.
A worked example: from a square to a banner
Suppose you've designed a square social graphic and you need a wide version for a website header. Select the artboard, choose Edit Artboards and decide whether the artwork should come along. If you want the same design larger, turn on Scale artwork with Artboard and drag. If you want a wider canvas with the same-sized logo, leave it off, widen the artboard and reposition the pieces. Either way, check the text afterwards, because it doesn't always stay where you'd expect. You'll probably have to nudge a few things, and that's normal.
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Working with more than one artboard
An Illustrator file can hold several artboards side by side, for example a logo on a white square, a dark square and a wide banner. Resize each one separately and give it a clear name. The shared artwork area between them is handy for moving elements across, but remember that anything partly off an artboard may be cut off when you export that artboard. Zoom out and check the whole canvas before you export.
My verdict
Type exact Width and Height values in Artboard Options when the size matters, and drag when it doesn't. Decide before you resize whether the design should come with it, and switch on Scale artwork with Artboard if so.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change the artboard size in Illustrator?
Select the artboard and drag the bounding box, or open Artboard Options and enter Width and Height values.
How do I resize the artwork with the artboard?
In the Properties panel choose Edit Artboards, select Scale artwork with Artboard and drag the bounding box.
What is the reference point?
It's one of nine points in the Artboard Options grid that sets which part of the artboard stays fixed as you resize.
Where can I resize an artboard besides Artboard Options?
In the Artboards panel, Properties panel or Control panel.
Can I rename an artboard?
Yes, in the Artboards panel, Properties panel, Control panel or Artboard Options.
