How to Change Desktop Icon Size and Grid Spacing in Ubuntu

Depending on your monitor’s display resolution and personal visual preferences, Ubuntu’s default desktop icons may appear excessively large or spaced too far apart on high-resolution displays. On the GNOME desktop environment used by modern Ubuntu releases (including Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and 24.04 LTS), desktop icons are managed by the Desktop Icons NG (DING) system extension. Configuring icon dimensions and grid placement allows you to tailor your desktop workspace to your exact needs.

Adjusting Desktop Icon Size in Ubuntu Settings

Ubuntu provides a quick graphical slider inside the main Settings control centre to change default icon scale:

1. Open the Settings app from the application grid or top-right system status menu.
2. In the left sidebar, click on Ubuntu Desktop.
3. Locate the Desktop Icons section.
4. Find the Size dropdown option.
5. Choose from Tiny, Small, Normal, or Large.
6. Your desktop icons will immediately resize on screen to match your selection.

Fine-Tuning Grid Alignment and Icon Placement

In addition to sizing, you can customize where new files appear and whether system icons are visible:

• Position of New Icons: Under the same Desktop Icons settings menu, choose whether newly downloaded or created items appear in the Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, or Bottom Right.
• Show Personal Folder: Toggle the switch next to Show Personal folder on or off to control whether your Home directory shortcut sits permanently on the desktop wallpaper.

Advanced Desktop Spacing via Desktop Icons NG Settings

If you want granular control over grid tight-spacing, label positions, or drive visibility:

1. Right-click any empty space on your Ubuntu desktop.
2. Click on Desktop Icons settings at the bottom of the context menu.
3. This launches the comprehensive DING configuration window.
4. Under Icon size and arrangement, you can adjust:
   • Arrangement: Switch between classic top-down column sorting or left-to-right row sorting.
   • Show Disks: Choose whether external USB thumb drives and mounted partitions appear on your desktop workspace.
   • Show Trash: Enable or disable the desktop Recycle Bin icon.
5. Close the window to apply changes instantly without requiring a system reboot or shell restart.