Select the Dimension tool from the toolbar.
Last updated on
Sep 11, 2025
Learn how the Linear Dimension tool type lets you plot the length of a line and the distance between any two points.
The linear dimensions that you plot are either aligned, vertical, or horizontal.
- Aligned dimension: It’s the direct distance between two points.
- Vertical dimension: It’s the vertical distance between two points.
- Horizontal dimension: It’s the horizontal distance between two points.
Plot the vertical and horizontal dimensions of objects
You can easily plot an object’s vertical and horizontal dimensions. These dimensions may differ from those of its bounding box when you rotate the object. When rotated, the plotted measurements adjust to match the new vertical and horizontal dimensions.
Select Linear Dimension from the taskbar that appears.
Press Option (macOS) or Alt (Windows) as you hover over the object’s path.
Click the canvas when you see the pink line guide.
Plot the side dimensions of basic shapes
You can easily plot the side dimensions of basic shapes such as rectangles, polygons, line segments, and stars.
Plot the side dimensions of basic shapes such as a hexagon.
Select the Dimension tool from the toolbar.
Select Linear Dimension from the taskbar that appears.
Hover over a side of the shape until a pink line guide appears, and then plot the dimensions:
- Aligned dimension of the side: Drag, keeping the line guide parallel to the side, and then release.
- Vertical dimension of the side: Drag, keeping the line guide parallel to the side, change direction so the line guide is vertical, and then release.
- Horizontal dimension of the side: Drag, keeping the line guide parallel to the side, change direction so the line guide is horizontal, and then release.
To reposition dimension objects, drag the object using the Dimension tool.
To change the settings of a dimension object you’ve plotted, select the dimension object using the Selection tool and make changes in the Properties panel.
Note
When you distort an object, the associated dimensions don’t update automatically.
Plot the distance between any two points
Select the Dimension tool from the toolbar.
Select Linear Dimension from the taskbar that appears.
Click the first point, and then click the second point. You can then plot the following dimensions:
- Aligned dimension: Click again.
- Vertical dimension: Move the mouse horizontally, and then click.
- Horizontal dimension: Move the mouse vertically, and then click.
Tip
If a path segment has a stroke applied to it, you can measure its linear dimension accurately by snapping onto its preview bounds. To turn on preview bounds, select Illustrator > Settings > General (macOS) or Edit > Preferences > General (Windows) and then select Use Preview Bounds.
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