How to Change Margins in Canva

March 26, 2026·2 min read

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Here's how to change margins in Canva

Navigate to 'File' in the top menu bar.
Locate and click on 'Settings' from the dropdown menu.
Enable the 'Show rulers and guides' option.
Notice the rulers now displayed along the top and left edges of your canvas.
Click and drag from the rulers to create guide lines on your canvas.
Position the guides to establish your desired margin boundaries.
Use these guides to align your design elements within the margin area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save my margin settings for future Canva projects?

Canva doesn't automatically save custom margin settings between projects. However, once you enable rulers and guides, this setting will remain active for your current session. You'll need to re-enable it and set up new guides for each new design project.

What's the difference between margins and padding in Canva?

Margins in Canva refer to the space around the outer edges of your entire design canvas, while padding typically refers to spacing within individual elements like text boxes. Using rulers and guides helps you create consistent margins that keep all your content away from the canvas edges.

Will the margin guides appear in my final exported design?

No, the ruler guides you create are only visible while editing in Canva. They won't appear in your downloaded or published design - they're purely for helping you position elements during the design process.

How to Change Margins in Canva

Here's how to change margins in Canva

Frequently Asked Questions

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