Change your artboard size through the Artboard tool or Document Setup

In Adobe Illustrator, the page size is called the artboard. You can change it in two ways: using the Artboard tool in the toolbar, or through the Document Setup dialog. The Artboard tool is faster for a single artboard; Document Setup is better if you need to change the default size for all artboards at once or if you're working with multiple artboards and want to resize them together.

The artboard is the white canvas area where you design. Everything outside the artboard won't print or export. Changing the artboard size doesn't affect your artwork itself—only the boundary of what will be included when you save or print.

Key Takeaways

  • The Artboard tool in the left toolbar lets you click and drag to resize a single artboard, or double-click it to open a dialog with preset sizes.
  • Document Setup (File menu) changes the default artboard size and can resize all artboards in your file at once.
  • Preset sizes like Letter, A4, and custom dimensions are available in both methods.
  • You can have multiple artboards of different sizes in one file, and each one can be resized independently.
  • Anything outside the artboard boundary won't print or export unless you specifically change the export settings.

Using the Artboard tool to resize one artboard

Select the Artboard tool from the left toolbar. It looks like a rectangle with corner handles. Once selected, click on the artboard you want to resize. You'll see a bounding box with handles at the corners and edges.

Drag any corner or edge handle to resize the artboard manually. Drag a corner to change both width and height at once; drag an edge to change only that dimension. If you want to use a preset size instead, double-click the artboard to open the Artboard dialog. Choose a size from the Preset dropdown—Letter, A4, Tabloid, and many others are built in. Enter custom width and height values in the fields below if you need a size not in the list. Click OK when you're done.

Using Document Setup to change all artboards at once

Go to File > Document Setup. This opens a dialog showing the current artboard size and orientation. The Preset dropdown contains the same standard sizes as the Artboard tool dialog. Select a preset, or enter custom width and height values.

If you have multiple artboards and want to resize all of them to the same size, check the box labeled Edit All Artboards (the exact wording varies by Illustrator version, but it's usually near the preset dropdown). This applies the new size to every artboard in your file. If you leave this unchecked, only the currently selected artboard changes. Click OK to explore the change.

Entering custom dimensions

Both the Artboard tool dialog and Document Setup let you type exact measurements. In the Width and Height fields, enter a number followed by the unit: in for inches, cm for centimeters, mm for millimeters, or pt for points. For example, type 8.5in for 8.5 inches, or 21cm for 21 centimeters.

Illustrator will convert the value to your document's default unit when you press Enter or Tab. If you're unsure what unit your document uses, check the ruler along the top and left edges of the canvas. You can also change the default unit in File > Document Setup under the Units dropdown.

Changing orientation from portrait to landscape

In the Artboard dialog or Document Setup, look for the Orientation buttons. You'll see two icons: one showing a tall rectangle (portrait) and one showing a wide rectangle (landscape). Click the landscape icon to swap the width and height values. This is faster than manually entering new numbers if you're using a preset size.

The orientation buttons only appear when you've selected a preset size. If you've entered custom dimensions, you can swap width and height manually by clicking the small double-arrow icon between the Width and Height fields, if present, or by selecting the width value, cutting it, and pasting it into the height field.

Common mistakes to avoid

Don't confuse the artboard with the canvas. The canvas is infinite; the artboard is the boundary. If you resize the artboard smaller and your artwork extends beyond it, the artwork won't disappear—it just won't be included in exports or prints unless you change the export settings. To see what will actually be exported, look at the artboard boundary (a thin black line) and make sure all artwork you want to keep is inside it.

If you have multiple artboards and you accidentally resize all of them when you meant to resize just one, undo the change (Ctrl+Z or Cmd+Z) and make sure the Edit All Artboards option is unchecked before you try again. Also, remember that changing the artboard size doesn't change the zoom level—if the artboard becomes very small, you may need to zoom out to see it clearly.

Resizing artboards with the Properties panel

In newer versions of Illustrator, you can also resize the selected artboard using the Properties panel on the right side of the screen. Select the Artboard tool, click the artboard you want to change, and look for the Width and Height fields in the Properties panel. Type new values directly into these fields. This method is useful if you prefer not to open a dialog.

The Properties panel also shows the artboard's position (X and Y coordinates) if you need to move it on the canvas. You can change these values to reposition the artboard without resizing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have artboards of different sizes in the same file?

Yes. Each artboard can be a different size. Select the Artboard tool, click the artboard you want to change, and resize it independently. This is useful when you're designing multiple items—like a business card, letterhead, and envelope—in one file.

What happens to my artwork if I make the artboard smaller?

Your artwork stays where it is. Anything outside the artboard boundary won't print or export by default, but it won't be deleted. You can move the artboard or resize it again if you need to include more artwork.

How do I add a new artboard to my file?

Select the Artboard tool, then click the plus icon in the toolbar or Properties panel, or right-click in an empty area of the canvas and choose New Artboard. The new artboard will be the same size as the currently selected one.

Can I change the artboard size after I've finished designing?

Yes, you can resize the artboard at any point. Your artwork won't be affected—only the boundary of what will be printed or exported changes. Just make sure all the artwork you want to keep is inside the new artboard boundary.

What's the difference between artboard size and canvas size?

The canvas is the infinite workspace in Illustrator. The artboard is a defined rectangle within the canvas that marks what will print or export. You can have artwork anywhere on the canvas, but only artwork inside the artboard boundary will be included in final output.