How to Scale in Illustrator

Objects, text, or images are often used in Adobe Illustrator. You might need to scale logos, images, text, and different shapes or objects. So, when you scale any object, it changes its size both horizontally and vertically.

In Adobe Illustrator, you can find different ways to scale the objects easily. You can scale using the Scale Tool, bounding box, and Transform panel.

You can also watch the below given detailed video tutorial, to learn how to scale in Adobe Illustrator.

If you are new or don’t know how to scale objects, text, or images in Illustrator, then you are in the right place. In this tutorial, you will learn how to scale in Adobe Illustrator.

You can also learn: How to Measure in Illustrator

So Let’s start.

How to Scale in Adobe Illustrator 2022

To scale in Illustrator, select the object using the Selection Tool. Its bounding box will appear. Bring the pointer to the bounding box and the pointer will change to scale. Click and drag in any direction to scale the object. Press Shift while scaling so that the object remains the same and does not get distorted.

3 Ways to Scale Objects in Illustrator

In Adobe Illustrator, you can scale shapes, text, or images using three different ways. We will discuss objects using all methods in this tutorial.

You can scale in Illustrator using three ways:

Bounding Box
Scale Tool
Transform panel

Scale using bounding box in Illustrator

The easiest and quick way to scale objects is by using its bounding box.

Select the object that you want to scale. You can select text or any image as well to scale it.

As you select the object, you will see its bounding box appear from all sides.

If you bring the pointer to any corner or side of the object, the pointer will convert to a resizing pointer.

Click and drag in any direction depending on the scale you need for the object.

Release it when you are done.

The object will be scaled.

Note: Press & hold Shift while scaling to scale equally from all sides.

Scale using Scale Tool in Illustrator

You can also use the Scale Tool to scale objects, text, or images in Adobe Illustrator.

Select the object first that you want to scale in Adobe Illustrator.

Scale tool Illustrator 2022

You can select the Scale Tool that is available under the Rotate Tool in the Basic toolbar.

In the advanced toolbar, you can directly select the “Scale Tool.”

Illustrator Scale Shortcut

The shortcut key to use Scale Tool is “S”.

As you select the Scale tool, you will see a little scaling sign in the center of the shape appear.

Note: You can change its location by dragging it and then placing it anywhere on the shape.

Now the shape will be resized according to this little sign.

Click and drag from any position to scale the shape to any size.

To see the “Scale” panel, double click on the scale tool or press Alt and click once on the artboard. The scale panel will appear.

Here you can also change the object scale from Uniform to Non-Uniform. In Non-Uniform, you can change vertical and horizontal position.

As you can see, there is the option for scale corners and scale strokes and effects.

If you have a round cornered shape, then make sure to select the Corners option in the Scale panel, so that when you scale, it remains accurate.

If you have applied a stroke or any effect to the shape, then don’t forget to select the stroke & effect options. Because if you don’t check the scale strokes & effects, the shape will not scale accurately. The stroke will remain the same.

Scale using Transform panel in Illustrator

Select the object and then see the Transform panel in the right corner under the Properties.

Free Transform tool Illustrator

The other way to access the Transform panel is, to go to Window > Transform.

Transform panel will appear.

Here you can scale the selected object by Width and Height.

If you click on More Options in the transform panel under the Properties, here you can also see the options of Scale Corners and Scale Strokes & Effects to scale corners, strokes, and effects accurately and according to the shape.

You have learned to scale in Adobe Illustrator.

In this tutorial, you have learned to scale in Adobe Illustrator. You can scale any type of object text, shapes, and image. There are 3 ways to scale in Illustrator. You can choose any method to scale in Adobe Illustrator.

Have More Questions?

If you have any questions related to scaling in Illustrator, you can ask in the comment section below. We have also answered the most frequently asked questions below.