How to Change Measurement Units in CorelDRAW

Changing measurement units in CorelDRAW allows you to switch between inches, millimeters, centimeters, pixels, and other systems to fit your specific design needs. This guide explains how to quickly adjust the active units for an open document using the Property Bar, how to modify ruler settings, and how to set default units for all future projects.

Method 1: Using the Property Bar (Fastest Way)

The quickest way to switch units for an active document is directly from the Property Bar.

  1. Click on an empty area of your workspace (or press Esc) to make sure no objects or text are selected.
  2. Locate the Units dropdown menu on the Property Bar at the top of the screen.
  3. Click the dropdown and select your preferred unit of measurement (such as Inches, Millimeters, Pixels, or Points).

The rulers and coordinate displays will instantly update to the selected unit.

Method 2: Using the Ruler Setup Menu

If you need precise control over both horizontal and vertical units independently, use the Ruler Setup options.

  1. Right-click on either the horizontal or vertical ruler along the edge of your drawing window.
  2. Select Ruler Setup from the context menu to open the Document Options dialog.
  3. Under the Units section, use the dropdown menus to set your preferred Horizontal and Vertical units.
  4. Click OK to apply the changes.

Method 3: Setting Default Units for New Documents

To ensure every new document opens with your preferred measurement unit automatically:

  1. Close all open documents in CorelDRAW.
  2. With no document open, go to the Property Bar or navigate to Tools > Options > Document.
  3. Set the Units to your desired standard.
  4. Go to Tools in the top menu and select Save Settings as Default.

Alternatively, when creating a project via File > New, you can set the primary unit in the Create a New Document window before clicking OK. CorelDRAW will remember this choice for future projects created with that preset.