---
title: Layout of controls
ms.date: "03/30/2017"
helpviewer_keywords:
  - "layout [Windows Forms]"
  - "sizing [Windows Forms], automatic [Windows Forms]"
  - "Margin property [Windows Forms]"
  - "Padding property [Windows Forms]"
ms.assetid: 99400e3a-720e-4f56-b68f-89df911a251c
---

# Layout in Windows Forms Controls

Precise placement of controls on your form is a high priority for many applications. The <xref:System.Windows.Forms?displayProperty=nameWithType> namespace gives you many layout tools to accomplish this.

## In This Section

[AutoSize Property Overview](autosize-property-overview.md)\
Describes the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.AutoSize%2A> property and its role in layout.

[Margin and Padding in Windows Forms Controls](margin-and-padding-in-windows-forms-controls.md)\
Describes the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.Margin%2A> and <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.Padding%2A> properties and their roles in layout.

[How to: Align a Control to the Edges of Forms](how-to-align-a-control-to-the-edges-of-forms.md)\
Demonstrates how to use the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.Dock%2A> property to align your control to the edge of the form it occupies.

[How to: Create a Border Around a Windows Forms Control Using Padding](how-to-create-a-border-around-a-windows-forms-control-using-padding.md)\
Demonstrates how to use the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.Padding%2A> property to outline a control.

[How to: Implement a Custom Layout Engine](how-to-implement-a-custom-layout-engine.md)\
Demonstrates how to implement a <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Layout.LayoutEngine> for arranging Windows Forms controls.

## Reference

<xref:System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel>\
Provides reference documentation for the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel> control.

<xref:System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel>\
Provides reference documentation for the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.FlowLayoutPanel> control.

## See also

- [How to: Anchor and Dock Child Controls in a FlowLayoutPanel Control](how-to-anchor-and-dock-child-controls-in-a-flowlayoutpanel-control.md)
- [How to: Anchor and Dock Child Controls in a TableLayoutPanel Control](how-to-anchor-and-dock-child-controls-in-a-tablelayoutpanel-control.md)
- [How to: Design a Windows Forms Layout that Responds Well to Localization](how-to-design-a-windows-forms-layout-that-responds-well-to-localization.md)
- [AutoSize Behavior in the TableLayoutPanel Control](autosize-behavior-in-the-tablelayoutpanel-control.md)
