topic Re: Sizes of symbols in Layout legend does not match the size of the symbols in the map in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Sizes of symbols in Layout legend does not match the size of the symbols in the map

Aline-Wbg — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:08:12 GMT

When I symbolize point data using Single Symbol the size of the symbol in the legend of the layout never perfectly matches its size on the displayed map on the layout.

If I use Graduated Symbols the symbols in the legend only match the mapped symbols when the single symbol layer that I used to investigate this peculiar behavior, is being hidden. As soon as it is shown the graduated symbols of the legend don't match the mapped symbols anymore....

Is there some special setting I am missing? For a print map it is important that the legend items represent what's on the map in terms of size etc.

Thank you for your help.

Re: Sizes of symbols in Layout legend does not match the size of the symbols in the map

AlfredBaldenweck — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:18:32 GMT

Try unchecking "Scale to patch size"

Re: Sizes of symbols in Layout legend does not match the size of the symbols in the map

Aline-Wbg — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:19:02 GMT

Hi Alfred

Thank you for your response and help! I did uncheck but the legend item is slightly smaller than the point signature in the map (I quickly moved the legend onto the map and used no fill).

I did set the reference scale of the map to the scale of the layout, but nothing helps..

Re: Sizes of symbols in Layout legend does not match the size of the symbols in the map

AubriOtis — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:14:22 GMT

@Aline-Wbg the point in your map is the exact value as labeled in your legend? Generally when I have maps symbolized with proportional symbols I have few if any points that have the exact value (say 100) that is shown in my legend. I use the legend to show general bins, not the exact values. For that I like to include a label.

Re: Sizes of symbols in Layout legend does not match the size of the symbols in the map

Aline-Wbg — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:07:09 GMT

Dear @AubriOtis

Thank you for your response. You're absolutely right, proportional symbols are of course some intermediate steps along a spectrum and there it does never work ( I removed that from my post)!

The screenshot is actually from Single Symbol symbology, so there a given symbol and size should be the same in the legend as in the map, but it isn't.

If you have some minutes could you quickly try it out with some point data? Perhaps there i something off in my system. I used as a dummy dataset Sealevel Trend Stations .

Re: Sizes of symbols in Layout legend does not match the size of the symbols in the map

Debert — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:30:07 GMT

Once you add the Legend to the Layout- you should be able to click on it and have an Element Legend Pop-Up with options appear... Unfortunately, mine defaults to the symbols in the Legend matching the size of symbols on the Map and I haven't ran into this issue as you can see below.

I hope this helps!

Re: Sizes of symbols in Layout legend does not match the size of the symbols in the map

Aline-Wbg — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:13:48 GMT

thank you for four reply and time @Debert !

I do have these options, but what would I need to set then? It might be something related to some settings in my App, I hope it will resolve :).