Simple Steps to Zoom Out in Adobe Illustrator

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Learn how to zoom out and in using Adobe Illustrator

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Using Keyboard Shortcuts
|
• Using the Zoom Tool
|
• Using the Zoom Menu
|
• Using the Zoom Percentage Menu
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less

This wikiHow article shows you a few ways to zoom in and out of your artwork using Adobe Illustrator.

Things You Should Know

• Go to "View > Zoom Out/Zoom In".
• Alternatively, press "Z" to activate the Zoom tool, then press the left mouse button to Zoom in.
• Zoom out this way by holding "Opt" (Mac) or "Alt" (Windows) and left-clicking the mouse button.
• Or you can use more keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and out of your artwork. Press "Cmd + -" (Mac) or "Alt + -" to zoom out.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

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1. 
   1
   Press and hold ⌘ Cmd++ (Mac) or Ctrl++ (Windows) to zoom in.
2. 
   2
   Press and hold ⌘ Cmd+- (Mac) or Ctrl+- (Windows) to zoom out.
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Section 2 of 4:

Using the Zoom Tool

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1. 
   1
   Select the Zoom tool. The pointer becomes a magnifying glass with a plus sign in its center.

   • You can also press Z on your keyboard.
2. 
   2
   Click in the center of the area that you want to magnify.
3. 
   3
   Hold down Alt (PC) or ⌥ Opt (Mac) and click in the center of the area that you want to reduce.

   • Depending on your "View with CPU/GPU" settings, you can also drag the mouse left or right to zoom in and out of areas of the canvas. If dragging only creates a small box, you can zoom into the highlighted box by releasing the mouse button.
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Section 3 of 4:

Using the Zoom Menu

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1. 
   Go to View > Zoom In (or View) > Zoom Out. You'll see the View menu in the toolbar above your artboard.

Section 4 of 4:

Using the Zoom Percentage Menu

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1. 
   Set the zoom level using the zoom percentage menu. It's in the lower left corner of the window.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  How do I draw a straight line?

  

  Community Answer

  Select shape tool. There is a line tool and you can select a single row or column marquee tool.

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• Question

  How do I reset how far Illustrator is zoomed in at when I open it?

  

  Community Answer

  Press the keys "Command + 1" to get your zoom scale back to 100%, "Command + 0" to fill the screen with your artboard.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Video

Tips

• Go into Settings or Preferences and head to "Performance" to make sure you have "Animated Zoom" enabled if you want a scrubby zoom option, which you get via dragging the mouse left or right.
  Thanks

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• Press the keys Cmd + 1 (Mac) or Ctrl + 1 (PC) to get your zoom scale back to 100%, Cmd + 0 (Mac) or Ctrl + O (PC) to fill the screen with your artboard.
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• Make sure "Zoom with mouse wheel" is enabled in Settings/Preferences if you want to be able to scroll in and out.
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