Scale bar in ArcMap

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Author: Kevin MacLeod

Scale bars provide a visual indication of the size of features, and distance between features, on the map. A scale bar is a line or bar divided into parts. It is labeled with its ground length, usually in multiples of map units, such as tens of kilometers or hundreds of miles. When a scale bar is added to the layout, it is associated with a map frame and maintains a connection to the map inside of the frame. Even if the map scale changes, the scale bar remains correct.

Insert a scale bar

When a scale bar is added to the page, it will be automatically associated with the default map frame. If there isn't a map frame on the page, the map frame will default . This property is not final, though, and can be modified anytime after the scale bar is inserted.

On the Insert tab, in the Map Surrounds group, click the New Scale Bar New Scale Bar. Clicking the top half of the button will insert a default scale bar. Clicking the bottom half of the button will display a gallery of scale bar style items from any referenced styles. Choosing a style item will insert a scale bar with those properties.