How to change contour label settings

For contour maps using the Simple level method:

1. Select the Contours layer in the Contents window.
2. In the Properties window, click the Levels tab.
3. Expand the Labels section and change one or more of the following settings:
   • Increase the Curve Tolerance to a larger value (e.g. 1.5).
   • Decrease the Label to Label Distance to a value well within the size of your map. This is the distance between labels along the length of any given contour line.
     
   • Decrease the Label to Edge Distance to a value well within the size of your map. This is the distance between the map edge and the labels on the map.
   • You may also want to expand the Font properties section and reduce the Size (points).

For contour maps using the Advanced level method:

1. Select the Contours layer in the Contents window.
2. In the Properties window, click the Levels tab.
3. Set the Level method to Advanced.
4. Click the Edit Levels button.
5. In the Levels for Map dialog, click the Label column header.
6. In the Labels dialog you can edit the label settings.
   • Increase the Curve Tolerance to a larger value (e.g. 1.5).
   • Decrease the Label to Label Distance to a value well within the size of your map. This is the distance between labels along the length of any given contour line.
     
   • Decrease the Label to Edge Distance to a value well within the size of your map. This is the distance between the map edge and the labels on the map.
   • Check the Affected Levels section to be sure the First value is the first level you want labeled, and the Skip value is not too high (this is the number of levels to skip between labeled levels).  
   • You may also want to click on the Font button to reduce the Size (points) and click OK.
7. Click OK to close the Labels dialog.
8. Click OK to close the Levels for Map dialog and apply the changes.

How to add & place contour labels manually

If adjusting the contour label settings did not result in the desired labels, you can also manually add labels to the map and place them exactly where you want.

1. Right-click the Contour layer and then click Edit Contour Labels. 
2. Hold the CTRL key on your keyboard and click on a contour line where you'd like a new label added.
3. Click and drag any existing labels along the contour line to reposition them.
4. Press ESC on the keyboard to save the changes.

Note that manual contour label editing should be performed last. Changing any other contour map properties will remove the custom label and edits.

See the Labels - Contour help page for more information.

Updated May, 2023