How to change the size of Revit dimensions and text?

Short Answer

Yes — in Autodesk Revit, you can change the size of Revit dimensions and text by editing the annotation type, usually through Edit Type on the selected dimension or text note. The most common professional method is to duplicate the type, then adjust Text Size. Limitation: this changes all elements using that type, not just one instance.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: In Revit, dimension text size is controlled by the type, not by view scale, so changing it can affect multiple sheets and views at once. A common failure is editing an office-standard dimension type and unintentionally changing annotation appearance across the whole project.

How to Change the Size of Revit Dimensions and Text

• Command: Edit Type

• Shortcut: No default keyboard shortcut

• Quick Steps:

  1. Select the dimension or text note in the drawing area, then on the Ribbon click Modify | Dimensions or Modify | Text Notes > Properties panel > Edit Type.
  2. In the Type Properties dialog, click Duplicate if you want a new size without changing the original type.
  3. Change the Text Size parameter, then click OK and apply the new type.

Variables & Settings

• Key Setting: Text Size in Type Properties

• Expert Setting: This controls the plotted height of annotation text, typically in paper units. For dimensions, related type settings such as Tick Mark, Witness Line Control, and Text Offset may also need adjustment so the new text size remains readable and properly spaced.

Why it Fails

• Cause 1 (Geometry): The new text size is too large for tight dimension spacing, so Revit pushes text outside witness lines or changes placement automatically.
• Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The dimension or text may be inside a group, linked model workflow, or controlled by a view template/office standard, limiting expected changes.
• Cause 3 (Command/Logic): The user edits the wrong type, or forgets to duplicate it first, causing project-wide changes instead of a local formatting update.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

• Quick Fix: Select the annotation, use Edit Type, click Duplicate, then set a new Text Size for that new type only.
• Manager’s Verdict: Always create clearly named annotation types such as “Dim 2.5mm” or “Text 3mm” instead of modifying the default type. This is the safest method for production teams and sheet consistency.

FAQ

Can I change only one dimension’s text size in Revit?
Not directly by instance; usually you must assign it a different dimension type.

Does view scale change Revit text size?
No, annotation text size is paper-based and stays consistent across scales.

Can I change dimension and text sizes from Manage settings?
Usually no; the standard method is editing each annotation type through Edit Type.

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