Customize Panel Layouts and Applets in Mint

Yes, you can fully customize panel layouts and applets in Linux Mint (Cinnamon edition) through the built-in Panel settings and applet management tools. You can move, resize, add, remove, and configure panels and applets to match your workflow, with changes applied instantly and reversible.

Formula

The calculator above estimates the total screen area occupied by your panels, which helps when planning layouts on a 1920-pixel-wide screen. The formula is:

Total panel area = Number of panels × Panel thickness × Screen width

• Number of panels (t): how many separate panel bars you have (default 1).
• Panel thickness (p): the height (or width for vertical panels) in pixels (default 40 px).
• Screen width: fixed at 1920 px in this example; replace with your actual resolution.

The result is in square pixels (px²). This is a planning aid, not a system metric.

Worked Example

Using the defaults: 1 panel, 40 px thick, on a 1920 px wide screen.

1. Multiply the number of panels by the thickness: 1 × 40 = 40 px.
2. Multiply by the screen width: 40 × 1920 = 76,800 px².

The calculator returns 76,800 px² as the total panel area.

How to Access Panel Settings

Right-click on any empty area of a panel and choose Panel settings. Alternatively, open the System Settings (Menu → System Settings) and select Panel under the “Preferences� section. From there you can:

• Add a new panel (up to 10 in this calculator, but the system allows more).
• Delete an existing panel (right-click the panel → “Remove this panelâ€�).
• Change panel position (top, bottom, left, right) via the “Positionâ€� drop-down.
• Adjust thickness (height/width) with a slider.
• Enable “Auto-hideâ€� to make the panel slide out of view when not needed.
• Set “Panel edit modeâ€� to move applets freely.

Changes take effect immediately, and you can always revert by moving things back.

Managing Applets

Applets are small widgets that live on the panel (e.g., clock, system tray, menu button). To manage them:

1. Right-click the panel → Applets (or “Add applets to the panel�).
2. In the Applet Manager, browse the “Available applets� tab. Click an applet to select it, then click the + (plus) button to add it to the panel.
3. To remove an applet, go to the “Installed applets� tab, select it, and click − (minus).
4. To configure an applet, select it in the “Installed� tab and click the gear icon (or right-click the applet on the panel → “Configure�).

Common applets include the Menu, Clock, System Tray, Workspace Switcher, and Window List. You can also download more from the “Available applets� tab (requires internet).

Moving and Resizing Applets

To move an applet, right-click the panel and ensure Panel edit mode is checked (it is by default). Then drag the applet by its handle (usually a dotted area or the applet icon) to a new position. Release to drop. To resize an applet that supports it (like the Window List), drag its edge when in edit mode. Some applets have a fixed size; you cannot stretch them arbitrarily.

Common Problems and Fixes

• Applet disappears after adding: Right-click the panel → “Add applets to the panelâ€� → check the “Installedâ€� tab; if it’s there, click the “+â€� to re-add it. Sometimes a panel reset helps: right-click panel → “Reset panel to defaultsâ€�.
• Panel edit mode not working: Make sure you right-click on an empty area of the panel, not on an applet. If the applet covers the whole panel, temporarily move it or use the panel settings dialog to enable edit mode.
• Changes not saving after reboot: Cinnamon saves panel layout automatically. If it reverts, check if you’re running a live session (changes are not persistent) or if a third-party theme is overriding settings. Try switching to the default theme.
• Applet settings grayed out: Some applets have no configurable options. Others require you to be in “Panel edit modeâ€� (right-click panel → check the box).

Comparing Layout Options

Cinnamon offers a single-panel layout by default, but you can create a two-panel setup (e.g., one top, one bottom) for a more traditional look, or a single vertical panel on the left like some other desktops. The flexibility is similar to what you get in GNOME with extensions, but Cinnamon’s panel and applet system is more integrated and less dependent on third-party extensions. On Xfce, you also have multiple panels, but the applet ecosystem is smaller. On KDE Plasma, you have widgets and panels with even more granular control, but the learning curve is steeper.

Safety and Reversibility

All changes you make to panels and applets are user-level settings; they do not affect system files. You can always revert to the default layout by right-clicking a panel → “Reset panel to defaults�. This is safe and does not remove any applets permanently—they remain installed and can be re-added. If you accidentally delete a panel, you can create a new one via Panel settings → “Add a new panel�. No data loss or system damage is possible through these customizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I move a panel to the top or bottom?

Right-click the panel → “Panel settings�. Under “Position�, choose Top, Bottom, Left, or Right. The panel will move immediately. If you have multiple panels, each has its own position setting.

Can I have more than one panel?

Yes. In Panel settings, click “Add a new panel�. You can have as many as you want, though practical limits exist. Each panel can have its own position, thickness, and applets. This is useful for separating system tray from window buttons, for example.

How do I add a custom applet not in the default list?

Open the Applet Manager (right-click panel → Applets). Go to the “Available applets� tab. Search for the applet you want; if it’s not there, you can install it from the “Download� tab by clicking “Install� next to the applet name. After installation, it appears in “Installed� and you can add it to the panel.

Why won’t my applet move when I drag it?

Make sure “Panel edit mode� is enabled (right-click panel → check “Panel edit mode�). If it is, try dragging from the applet’s handle (often a dotted area or the applet icon). If it still doesn’t move, the applet may be locked; right-click the applet and see if there’s an “Unlock� option.

Can I change the panel size (thickness) to be smaller than the default?

Yes. In Panel settings, drag the “Thickness� slider to any value between 20 and 100 pixels (or type a number). Note that some applets may not display well if the panel is too thin, so you may need to adjust icon sizes as well.

Related

• Hot Water Heater GPM Calculator and Sizing Guide
• Circuit Calculator: Voltage and Current Explained
• Voltage to Current Calculator: Ohm’s Law Explained

in t | Number of panels | - | 1 | 1 | 10
in p | Panel thickness (px) | px | 40 | 20 | 100
out area | Total panel area (px²) | px² | t * p * 1920 | 0