Select one or more objects using the Selection tool.
Last updated on
Sep 11, 2025
Learn how to scale objects and structure your design by varying their sizes.
Scaling an object enlarges or reduces it horizontally (along the x-axis), vertically (along the y-axis), or both. Objects scale relative to a reference point, which varies depending on the scaling method you select. You can change the default reference point for most scaling methods and also lock an object's proportions.
After you scale an object, Adobe Illustrator does not retain the object's original size in memory. Therefore, you cannot resume the original size of the object. However, you can see the resolution of the object in the Document Info panel and decide on the scale at which you want to resize the object, while retaining the object’s resolution.
By default, strokes and effects are not scaled along with objects. To scale strokes and effects, select Edit > Preferences > General (Windows) or Illustrator > Settings > General (macOS), and select Scale Strokes & Effects. If you want to select whether to scale strokes and effects on a case-by-case basis, use the Transform panel or the Scale command to scale objects.
Scale objects with the Scale tool
Select the Scale tool.
Do any of the following:
- To scale relative to the object’s center point, drag anywhere in the document window until the object is the desired size.
- To scale an object from a different reference point, first select in the document window to set that point. Then, move the pointer away from it and drag until the object reaches the desired size.
- To maintain the object’s proportions as it scales, hold down Shift as you drag diagonally. While using the Scale tool with the Shift key, start dragging at an angle of 45° horizontally or vertically, but in an angle.
- To scale the object along a single axis, hold down Shift as you drag vertically or horizontally.
For finer control over scaling, start dragging farther from the reference point.
Scale objects with the bounding box
Select one or more objects using the Selection tool.
Select Free Transform tool.
You can also use the Selection tool to scale objects with the bounding box.
Drag a bounding box handle until the object is the desired size. Objects scale relative to the opposite handle of the bounding box.
Do any of the following to control the scaling behavior:
- To maintain the object’s proportions, hold down Shift as you drag.
- To scale relative to the object’s center point, hold down Alt (Windows) or option (macOS) as you drag.
Scale objects to a specific width and height
Select one or more objects using the Selection tool.
Select Window > Transform.
In the Transform panel, enter a new value in the W or H field, or both.
You can do any of the following before you enter a value to control the scaling behavior:
- To maintain the objects’ proportions, select lock proportions .
- To change the reference point for scaling, select a white square on the reference point locator .
- To scale stroked paths and any size-related effects along with the object, select Scale Strokes & Effects from the panel menu .
You can also maintain proportions by entering a value in the W or H field and then pressing Ctrl (Windows) or command (macOS) while you press Enter.
Scale objects by a specific percentage
Select one or more objects using the Selection tool.
Do one of the following:
- To scale from the center, select Object > Transform > Scale or double-click the Scale tool.
- To scale relative to a different reference point, select the Scale tool and Alt ‑ click (Windows) or option ‑ click (macOS) where you want the reference point to be in the document window.
In the Scale dialog box, do one of the following:
- To maintain the object’s proportions as it scales, select Uniform, and enter a percentage in the Scale field.
- To scale the height and width separately, select Non-Uniform, and enter a percentage in the Horizontal and Vertical fields.
The scale factors are relative to the reference point and can be negative or positive.
Select Scale Strokes & Effects to scale stroked paths and any size-related effects along with the object.
Tip
If the objects contain a pattern fill, select Transform Patterns to scale the pattern. Deselect Transform Objects if you want to scale the pattern but not the objects.
Select OK, or select Copy to scale a copy of the objects.
Create designs with Illustrator online (beta)
Create graphics that match your style right in your browser.
