# Resizing and rotating layers
> Learn how to resize and rotate layers in Sketch using the canvas, Inspector, and keyboard shortcuts.
**URL:** https://www.sketch.com/docs/designing/layer-basics/resizing-and-rotating-layers/ | **Last updated:** 2026-04-07
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## Resizing layers
To adjust a layer’s height or width, drag any of its edges. To adjust both the height and width at once, you can use the corner handles.
Holding ⇧ and dragging will resize the layer proportionately, keeping its height and width at the same ratio. If you want to resize a layer from its center, hold ⌥ and drag.
> **Note:** Keep in mind that resizing will be affected by any [Resizing constraints](/docs/designing/layer-basics/resizing-and-rotating-layers/) you’ve applied.
## Resizing layers in the Inspector
You can also resize a layer by selecting it and typing new dimensions in the Inspector. As you type, you’ll see a preview of how your layer will look. When you’re done, press ⏎ to apply your changes.
By default, resizing is anchored to the top-left corner. You can change this by entering these keyboard operators after a dimension in the Inspector’s [Layer Properties](/docs/interface-and-settings/the-mac-app-interface/the-inspector/) fields:
| Action | Shortcut |
|--------|----------|
| Resize from the left | `…l` |
| Resize from the right | `…r` |
| Resize from the top | `…t` |
| Resize from the bottom | `…b` |
| Resize from the center/middle | `…c` or `…m` |
You can also use the operators w,h,x, andy as stand-ins for the width, height, X, and Y of a selected layer. For example, if you set a rectangle’s height tow it will turn it into a square.
The Inspector also lets you use math to resize or move layers:
| Action | Shortcut |
|--------|----------|
| Add (e.g. 50+10r) | `+` |
| Subtract (e.g. 45-5) | `-` |
| Multiply (e.g. 128*2) | `*` |
| Divide (e.g. 960/2) | `/` |
You can resize any layer using percentage values to make it scale relative to its parent container. This works whether the parent is a frame, group or graphic.
When you enter a percentage for a layer’s width or height in the Inspector, it will resize relative to the bounds of the closest parent container. For example, if you set a layer’s width to 100% inside a group, it will stretch to match the group’s full width.
Keep in mind that for groups with multiple layers, the group’s bounds are defined by the combined positions of those layers. So, if a layer sits inside a group, within a graphic, and you set it to 50% width, it will resize to half the width of the group, not the graphic.
You can click the lock icon that’s between the width and the height values or use the shortcut ⌥⌘L to make sure the layer resizes proportionately.
## Resizing layers with keyboard shortcuts
For precise adjustments, use these keyboard shortcuts:
| Action | Shortcut |
|--------|----------|
| Resize by 1px | ⌘← → ↑ ↓ |
| Resize by 10px | ⇧⌘← → ↑ ↓ |
You can set your own increment values for these shortcuts using the **Nudging** options in the [Canvas tab](/docs/interface-and-settings/mac-app-settings/canvas/) of the Settings window.
## Rotating layers
To rotate a layer, click and drag the rotation handle that appears near the corners when you select a layer. Hold ⇧ while dragging to constrain the angle to 15° steps.
When layers overlap, you can still work with the one underneath. Hover over a corner of the selected layer until the rotation handles appear — clicking once will select the layer behind it, while clicking and dragging will rotate the selected layer. You can also hold ⌘ and click-and-drag to ignore rotation entirely, selecting the layer behind and moving it in one action.