How to Adjust Column Width in Google Sheets (5 Ways)

Columns in Google Sheets start at a default width of 100 pixels, which is too narrow for long text and too wide for short numbers. You can change the width by dragging, set an exact number of pixels, fit columns to their contents automatically, or make several columns the same width at once. This guide covers each method on a computer and in the mobile app.

Quick answer

Right-click the column letter at the top of the sheet and choose Resize column. Enter a width in pixels or choose Fit to data, then click OK. To resize by hand, drag the border on the right side of the column letter.

Method 1: Drag the column border

1. Hover over the line on the right edge of the column letter (for example between B and C) until the cursor becomes a double arrow.
2. Click and drag left or right.
3. Release when the column is the width you want.

A tooltip shows the width in pixels while you drag.

Method 2: Set an exact width

1. Right-click the column letter.
2. Choose Resize column.
3. Select Specify column width and type a value in pixels, such as 150.
4. Click OK.

This is the best method when you need consistent, repeatable sizes, for example for printing.

Method 3: Fit the column to its contents

• Double-click the right border of the column letter. The column shrinks or grows to fit its widest entry.
• Or right-click the column letter, choose Resize column, and select Fit to data.

Method 4: Resize several columns at once

1. Click the first column letter, hold Shift, and click the last column letter to select a range. Hold Ctrl (Command on a Mac) to select columns that are not next to each other.
2. Right-click any selected column letter and choose Resize columns.
3. Enter a width or choose Fit to data, then click OK.

You can also drag the border of any one selected column; all selected columns change to the same width. See how to make multiple columns the same width.

Resize every column in the sheet

Click the gray box in the top-left corner of the sheet (above row 1 and left of column A) to select everything, then right-click a column letter and choose Resize columns.

Wrap text instead of widening

If a column would need to be very wide, wrapping text may look better. Select the cells, click the Text wrapping button in the toolbar, and choose Wrap. The row height grows to show the full text. To adjust rows, see how to set row height in Google Sheets.

On the Google Sheets mobile app

1. Tap the column letter to select the column.
2. Drag the blue handle on the column edge to resize it.
3. Or tap the column letter, tap the three dots, and choose Resize column if available, then enter a width.

Tips

• Column width is shared with everyone viewing the sheet; your changes affect other editors too.
• Hidden columns have a width of zero; unhide them with the arrows between column letters.
• Printing: use File > Print > Scale > Fit to width if the sheet is too wide for the page.

Related: Show all text in a Google Sheets cell.

Frequently asked questions

Can I set column width in inches or centimeters?

No. Google Sheets uses pixels for column width. As a rough guide, 96 pixels is about one inch on screen, but printed size also depends on your print scale settings.

Why does Fit to data make my column too wide?

Fit to data sizes the column to its longest entry, including headers and long notes. Shorten or wrap that cell, then fit again.

Can I change the default width for new sheets?

Google Sheets does not have a default-width setting. Create a sheet with the widths you like and use File > Make a copy as a template, or duplicate the tab within the same file.

Does resizing a column affect formulas?

No. Column width only changes how data looks, not the values or formulas in the cells.

Summary

1. Drag the column border to resize quickly.
2. Right-click > Resize column to set an exact width or fit to data.
3. Double-click the border to autofit.
4. Select several columns to resize them together.
5. Wrap text when a column would otherwise be too wide.