Why do my buttons shift on resize?

Anchor and Offset are decoupled in Godot 4. If you change a Control's position via offsets without updating anchors, the layout doesn't follow window resize. Apply a Layout preset (Center, Top Right, etc.) to set both.

What does the Layout dropdown do?

Sets anchor + offset combos for common patterns: Full Rect, Center, Top Right, Bottom Wide, etc. Click in the editor; manual edits override and persist.

Should I use Containers instead?

For auto-layout (HBox, VBox, GridContainer), yes. Children layout automatically; anchors are managed for you. Use anchors directly only for absolute-positioned elements.

Fix: Godot 4 Control Anchors Drift After Window Resize

Quick answer: Use the Layout dropdown in the editor (Top Right, Bottom Wide, Center, etc.) to set anchors + offsets together. For dynamic layouts, parent Controls under HBoxContainer / VBoxContainer / GridContainer.

Resize the window. Save button slides off the edge. Anchors weren’t set; only offsets, which interpret the parent at the original size.

The Symptom

UI elements drift or anchor incorrectly when window resizes. Editor preview at design size looks fine.

The Fix

Layout presets. Select the Control. In the editor toolbar, click Layout → Preset (e.g. Top Right). Anchors + offsets set together for that pattern.

Common patterns:

Full Rect: stretches with parent.
Center: centered, fixed size.
Top Wide / Bottom Wide: full width, anchored top/bottom.
HCenter Wide: wide centered (good for menu rows).

Containers for Auto-Layout

HBoxContainer:
  size_flags_horizontal: Expand
  separation:            10
  Children:
    Button1
    Button2
    Button3

Children auto-layout horizontally; anchors handled by the container.

Verifying

Resize the editor Game window. Layout should respond appropriately. If a Control sticks to one position, its anchors are in the wrong preset.

“Layout preset for absolute. Container for auto. Resize works.”

Related Issues

For Control mouse_filter, see mouse filter. For Theme stylebox, see stylebox.

Anchors plus offsets. Layout follows.