Cricut Real Dial Size Feature

All of the Cricuts Cartridges have a cool feature called Cricut Real Dial Size.   It’s very useful, but it can also be very confusing.  Once you learn to use it, you will have a “lightbulb moment”, and you will find yourself “needing” it on occasion.

Cricut Real Dial Size is clearly printed on all of the Cricut Cartridge Overlays, but it’s difficult to find an explanation about what it is.  You can find it printed on one of the gray keys on the left side of the keyboard.

The Cricut Real Dial Size is confusing to explain, so I will do my best to describe it here, but I have also included a video below that should help clear up the confusion.

To make it even more confusing, on the Cricut Expression 2 Machine, the Icons are called Relative Size and True Size.  The buttons show you an example so you know which one to use.  True Size is the equivalent of using Real Dial Size.

Above Rubies Studio explains how to use it on the Cricut Expression 2 Machine and has a Printable Icon Legend for the Cricut Expression 2.

What is Cricut Real Dial Size?

Many of the Cricut Cartridges have accessories that go with the main shape, but they cut to the size that matches that shape.  See I told you it was confusing!!!

For example, on the Everyday Paper Dolls Cricut Cartridge, there is a cheerleader.  If you cut the doll at 5″, when you cut the pom poms leaving the size on 5″, it proportions the pom poms to fit a 5″ doll.  It will not cut 5″ pom poms.  If you are working on a project and need 5″ pom poms, you would use Real Dial Size to get the pom poms the size that you want.

I often see baffled crafters cut shapes, (using the Paper Doll Cartridges in particular), but can’t understand why they are so small.  When the dial is set to 3″, the hat doesn’t cut at 3″.  The machine is cutting a hat to fit on a 3″ doll.

Here is a video that I did demonstrating the Cricut Real Dial Size.  I hope his helps clear up the mystery of what that magic button does.  I want you to make the most of your machine!

Remember that you always want to have the Real Dial Size OFF when doing layering, whether you’re using a Paper Doll Cricut Cartridge or some other shapes.

Here’s a Halloween Card where I used the Paper Doll Dress Up Cricut Cartridge and the Real Dial Size to cut some great shapes.

Now the you know how to use the Real Dial Size, you will be able to cut all kinds of accessory die cuts with your Cricut Expression Machine.  From hats and tiaras, to necklaces, and footballs, you’ll be able to cut a shape that’s the right size for your project.