To set row height in Google Sheets, select the rows by clicking their row numbers, right-click the selection, and choose Resize rows. Pick Specify row height, type a height in pixels, and click OK. The default row height is 21 pixels. To size rows quickly by eye, drag the bottom border of a row number up or down, or choose Fit to data to match each row to its content.
Here’s how to change one row, many rows, or the whole sheet, plus what to do when rows won’t shrink.
How to set an exact row height
- Click a row number on the left. To select several rows, click the first row number and Shift-click the last. Use Ctrl-click (Command-click on a Mac) for rows that aren’t next to each other.
- Right-click one of the selected row numbers.
- Click Resize rows (or Resize row for one row).
- Choose Specify row height and type a number in pixels, like 40.
- Click OK.
How to resize rows by dragging
- Move the pointer to the bottom edge of a row number until it turns into a double-headed arrow.
- Drag up or down to set the height.
If you select several rows first and then drag the border of one of them, all the selected rows change to the same height.
How to fit rows to their content
- Fit to data: Select the rows, right-click, choose Resize rows, then Fit to data and OK.
- Double-click: Double-click the bottom border of a row number to fit that row.
Rows only grow to fit extra lines when text wrapping is on. Select the cells and click Format > Wrapping > Wrap.
How to change the height of every row
- Click the empty gray box in the top-left corner, above row 1 and left of column A, or press Ctrl + A (Command + A) until the whole sheet is selected.
- Right-click any row number and choose Resize rows.
- Enter a height and click OK.
How to change row height on a phone or tablet
- Open the sheet in the Google Sheets app.
- Tap a row number to select the row.
- Drag the blue line under the row number up or down.
The app doesn’t let you type an exact height. For precise sizes, use a computer.
Row height quick reference
| Task | How |
|---|---|
| Exact height | Right-click row numbers > Resize rows > Specify row height |
| Match content | Right-click > Resize rows > Fit to data, or double-click the row border |
| Same height for many rows | Select the rows, then resize one of them |
| Default height | 21 pixels |
| Column width | Right-click column letters > Resize columns |
Why won’t my rows get smaller?
- Wrapped text or large fonts can keep a row tall. Switch Format > Wrapping to Overflow or Clip, or reduce the font size.
- Images placed in cells can set a minimum height.
- You want the row gone entirely. Instead of shrinking it, right-click the row number and choose Hide row.
- You don’t have edit access. In view-only sheets, you can’t change row height.
Frequently asked questions
What units does Google Sheets use for row height?
Pixels. Google Sheets doesn’t use inches or points for row height.
Can I set a default row height for new sheets?
Not directly. Resize all the rows in a sheet, then duplicate that sheet or save the file as a template to reuse the size.
Will row height carry over if I download the file as Excel?
Yes. Row heights are kept when you choose File > Download > Microsoft Excel (.xlsx), though Excel measures them in points.
How do I make rows the same height?
Select all the rows, right-click, choose Resize rows, and enter one height.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.