diff --git a/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.spec.ts b/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.spec.ts
index c56504787d32..493490d8b6bf 100644
--- a/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.spec.ts
+++ b/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.spec.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,11 @@
-import {fakeAsync, async, tick, ComponentFixture, TestBed} from '@angular/core/testing';
+import {
+  fakeAsync,
+  async,
+  tick,
+  ComponentFixture,
+  TestBed,
+  discardPeriodicTasks,
+} from '@angular/core/testing';
 import {Component, ElementRef, ViewChild} from '@angular/core';
 import {By} from '@angular/platform-browser';
 import {NoopAnimationsModule} from '@angular/platform-browser/animations';
@@ -422,6 +429,7 @@ describe('MatDrawerContainer', () => {
         DrawerDelayed,
         DrawerSetToOpenedTrue,
         DrawerContainerStateChangesTestApp,
+        AutosizeDrawer,
       ],
     });
 
@@ -523,6 +531,30 @@ describe('MatDrawerContainer', () => {
     expect(container.classList).not.toContain('mat-drawer-transition');
   }));
 
+  it('should recalculate the margin if a drawer changes size while open in autosize mode',
+    fakeAsync(() => {
+      const fixture = TestBed.createComponent(AutosizeDrawer);
+
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      fixture.componentInstance.drawer.open();
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      tick();
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      const contentEl = fixture.debugElement.nativeElement.querySelector('.mat-drawer-content');
+      const initialMargin = parseInt(contentEl.style.marginLeft);
+
+      expect(initialMargin).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+
+      fixture.componentInstance.fillerWidth = 200;
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+      tick(10);
+      fixture.detectChanges();
+
+      expect(parseInt(contentEl.style.marginLeft)).toBeGreaterThan(initialMargin);
+      discardPeriodicTasks();
+    }));
+
 });
 
 
@@ -676,3 +708,17 @@ class DrawerContainerStateChangesTestApp {
   renderDrawer = true;
 }
 
+
+@Component({
+  template: `
+    <mat-drawer-container autosize>
+      <mat-drawer mode="push" [position]="drawer1Position">
+        Text
+        <div [style.width.px]="fillerWidth"></div>
+      </mat-drawer>
+    </mat-drawer-container>`,
+})
+class AutosizeDrawer {
+  @ViewChild(MatDrawer) drawer: MatDrawer;
+  fillerWidth = 0;
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.ts b/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.ts
index e41b45fb317c..dbf9c75cf80e 100644
--- a/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.ts
+++ b/src/lib/sidenav/drawer.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import {
   Output,
   QueryList,
   ViewEncapsulation,
+  InjectionToken,
 } from '@angular/core';
 import {DOCUMENT} from '@angular/common';
 import {merge} from 'rxjs/observable/merge';
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ import {filter} from 'rxjs/operators/filter';
 import {take} from 'rxjs/operators/take';
 import {startWith} from 'rxjs/operators/startWith';
 import {takeUntil} from 'rxjs/operators/takeUntil';
+import {debounceTime} from 'rxjs/operators/debounceTime';
 import {map} from 'rxjs/operators/map';
 import {Subject} from 'rxjs/Subject';
 import {Observable} from 'rxjs/Observable';
@@ -54,6 +56,9 @@ export class MatDrawerToggleResult {
   constructor(public type: 'open' | 'close', public animationFinished: boolean) {}
 }
 
+/** Configures whether drawers should use auto sizing by default. */
+export const MAT_DRAWER_DEFAULT_AUTOSIZE =
+    new InjectionToken<boolean>('MAT_DRAWER_DEFAULT_AUTOSIZE');
 
 @Component({
   moduleId: module.id,
@@ -74,7 +79,7 @@ export class MatDrawerContent implements AfterContentInit {
    * drawer is open. We use margin rather than transform even for push mode because transform breaks
    * fixed position elements inside of the transformed element.
    */
-  _margins: {left: number, right: number} = {left: 0, right: 0};
+  _margins: {left: number|null, right: number|null} = {left: null, right: null};
 
   constructor(
       private _changeDetectorRef: ChangeDetectorRef,
@@ -403,7 +408,6 @@ export class MatDrawer implements AfterContentInit, OnDestroy {
 })
 export class MatDrawerContainer implements AfterContentInit, OnDestroy {
   @ContentChildren(MatDrawer) _drawers: QueryList<MatDrawer>;
-
   @ContentChild(MatDrawerContent) _content: MatDrawerContent;
 
   /** The drawer child with the `start` position. */
@@ -412,6 +416,19 @@ export class MatDrawerContainer implements AfterContentInit, OnDestroy {
   /** The drawer child with the `end` position. */
   get end(): MatDrawer | null { return this._end; }
 
+  /**
+   * Whether to automatically resize the container whenever
+   * the size of any of its drawers changes.
+   *
+   * **Use at your own risk!** Enabling this option can cause layout thrashing by measuring
+   * the drawers on every change detection cycle. Can be configured globally via the
+   * `MAT_DRAWER_DEFAULT_AUTOSIZE` token.
+   */
+  @Input()
+  get autosize(): boolean { return this._autosize; }
+  set autosize(value: boolean) { this._autosize = coerceBooleanProperty(value); }
+  private _autosize: boolean;
+
   /** Event emitted when the drawer backdrop is clicked. */
   @Output() backdropClick = new EventEmitter<void>();
 
@@ -431,15 +448,23 @@ export class MatDrawerContainer implements AfterContentInit, OnDestroy {
   /** Emits when the component is destroyed. */
   private _destroyed = new Subject<void>();
 
-  _contentMargins = new Subject<{left: number, right: number}>();
+  /** Emits on every ngDoCheck. Used for debouncing reflows. */
+  private _doCheckSubject = new Subject<void>();
+
+  _contentMargins = new Subject<{left: number|null, right: number|null}>();
 
-  constructor(@Optional() private _dir: Directionality, private _element: ElementRef,
-              private _ngZone: NgZone, private _changeDetectorRef: ChangeDetectorRef) {
+  constructor(@Optional() private _dir: Directionality,
+              private _element: ElementRef,
+              private _ngZone: NgZone,
+              private _changeDetectorRef: ChangeDetectorRef,
+              @Inject(MAT_DRAWER_DEFAULT_AUTOSIZE) defaultAutosize = false) {
     // If a `Dir` directive exists up the tree, listen direction changes and update the left/right
     // properties to point to the proper start/end.
     if (_dir != null) {
       _dir.change.pipe(takeUntil(this._destroyed)).subscribe(() => this._validateDrawers());
     }
+
+    this._autosize = defaultAutosize;
   }
 
   ngAfterContentInit() {
@@ -460,9 +485,15 @@ export class MatDrawerContainer implements AfterContentInit, OnDestroy {
 
       this._changeDetectorRef.markForCheck();
     });
+
+    this._doCheckSubject.pipe(
+      debounceTime(10), // Arbitrary debounce time, less than a frame at 60fps
+      takeUntil(this._destroyed)
+    ).subscribe(() => this._updateContentMargins());
   }
 
   ngOnDestroy() {
+    this._doCheckSubject.complete();
     this._destroyed.next();
     this._destroyed.complete();
   }
@@ -477,6 +508,14 @@ export class MatDrawerContainer implements AfterContentInit, OnDestroy {
     this._drawers.forEach(drawer => drawer.close());
   }
 
+  ngDoCheck() {
+    // If users opted into autosizing, do a check every change detection cycle.
+    if (this._autosize && this._isPushed()) {
+      // Run outside the NgZone, otherwise the debouncer will throw us into an infinite loop.
+      this._ngZone.runOutsideAngular(() => this._doCheckSubject.next());
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * Subscribes to drawer events in order to set a class on the main container element when the
    * drawer is open and the backdrop is visible. This ensures any overflow on the container element
@@ -572,6 +611,12 @@ export class MatDrawerContainer implements AfterContentInit, OnDestroy {
     }
   }
 
+  /** Whether the container is being pushed to the side by one of the drawers. */
+  private _isPushed() {
+    return (this._isDrawerOpen(this._start) && this._start!.mode != 'over') ||
+           (this._isDrawerOpen(this._end) && this._end!.mode != 'over');
+  }
+
   _onBackdropClicked() {
     this.backdropClick.emit();
     this._closeModalDrawer();
@@ -628,6 +673,7 @@ export class MatDrawerContainer implements AfterContentInit, OnDestroy {
       }
     }
 
-    this._contentMargins.next({left, right});
+    // Pull back into the NgZone since in some cases we could be outside.
+    this._ngZone.run(() => this._contentMargins.next({left, right}));
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav-module.ts b/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav-module.ts
index 49e81a3db878..a77029c3a47d 100644
--- a/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav-module.ts
+++ b/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav-module.ts
@@ -12,8 +12,13 @@ import {CommonModule} from '@angular/common';
 import {NgModule} from '@angular/core';
 import {MatCommonModule} from '@angular/material/core';
 import {ScrollDispatchModule} from '@angular/cdk/scrolling';
-import {MatDrawer, MatDrawerContainer, MatDrawerContent} from './drawer';
 import {MatSidenav, MatSidenavContainer, MatSidenavContent} from './sidenav';
+import {
+  MatDrawer,
+  MatDrawerContainer,
+  MatDrawerContent,
+  MAT_DRAWER_DEFAULT_AUTOSIZE,
+} from './drawer';
 
 
 @NgModule({
@@ -41,5 +46,8 @@ import {MatSidenav, MatSidenavContainer, MatSidenavContent} from './sidenav';
     MatSidenavContainer,
     MatSidenavContent,
   ],
+  providers: [
+    {provide: MAT_DRAWER_DEFAULT_AUTOSIZE, useValue: false}
+  ]
 })
 export class MatSidenavModule {}
diff --git a/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav.md b/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav.md
index 139c40616ece..5c736ea018f9 100644
--- a/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav.md
+++ b/src/lib/sidenav/sidenav.md
@@ -131,6 +131,16 @@ Custom handling for backdrop clicks can be done via the `(backdropClick)` output
 
 <!-- example(sidenav-disable-close) -->
 
+### Resizing an open sidenav
+By default, Material will only measure and resize the drawer container in a few key moments
+(on open, on window resize, on mode change) in order to avoid layout thrashing, however there
+are cases where this can be problematic. If your app requires for a drawer to change its width
+while it is open, you can use the `autosize` option to tell Material to continue measuring it.
+Note that you should use this option **at your own risk**, because it could cause performance
+issues.
+
+<!-- example(sidenav-autosize) -->
+
 ### Setting the sidenav's size
 
 The `<mat-sidenav>` and `<mat-drawer>` will, by default, fit the size of its content. The width can
@@ -158,7 +168,7 @@ the top or bottom.
 A sidenav often needs to behave differently on a mobile vs a desktop display. On a desktop, it may
 make sense to have just the content section scroll. However, on mobile you often want the body to be
 the element that scrolls; this allows the address bar to auto-hide. The sidenav can be styled with
-CSS to adjust to either type of device. 
+CSS to adjust to either type of device.
 
 <!-- example(sidenav-responsive) -->
 
@@ -174,7 +184,7 @@ describes your sidenav, `role="region"` is recommended.
 
 Similarly, the `<mat-sidenav-content>` should be given a role based on what it contains. If it
 represents the primary content of the page, it may make sense to mark it `role="main"`. If no more
-specific role makes sense, `role="region"` is again a good fallback. 
+specific role makes sense, `role="region"` is again a good fallback.
 
 ### Troubleshooting
 
diff --git a/src/material-examples/example-module.ts b/src/material-examples/example-module.ts
index 1bb2111e59e8..56b38b7eae3d 100644
--- a/src/material-examples/example-module.ts
+++ b/src/material-examples/example-module.ts
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ import {SidenavOpenCloseExample} from './sidenav-open-close/sidenav-open-close-e
 import {SidenavOverviewExample} from './sidenav-overview/sidenav-overview-example';
 import {SidenavPositionExample} from './sidenav-position/sidenav-position-example';
 import {SidenavResponsiveExample} from './sidenav-responsive/sidenav-responsive-example';
+import {SidenavAutosizeExample} from './sidenav-autosize/sidenav-autosize-example';
 import {SlideToggleConfigurableExample} from './slide-toggle-configurable/slide-toggle-configurable-example';
 import {SlideToggleFormsExample} from './slide-toggle-forms/slide-toggle-forms-example';
 import {SlideToggleOverviewExample} from './slide-toggle-overview/slide-toggle-overview-example';
@@ -674,6 +675,12 @@ export const EXAMPLE_COMPONENTS = {
     additionalFiles: null,
     selectorName: null
   },
+  'sidenav-autosize': {
+    title: 'Autosize sidenav',
+    component: SidenavAutosizeExample,
+    additionalFiles: null,
+    selectorName: null
+  },
   'slide-toggle-configurable': {
     title: 'Configurable slide-toggle',
     component: SlideToggleConfigurableExample,
@@ -900,6 +907,7 @@ export const EXAMPLE_LIST = [
   SidenavOverviewExample,
   SidenavPositionExample,
   SidenavResponsiveExample,
+  SidenavAutosizeExample,
   SlideToggleConfigurableExample,
   SlideToggleFormsExample,
   SlideToggleOverviewExample,
diff --git a/src/material-examples/sidenav-autosize/sidenav-autosize-example.css b/src/material-examples/sidenav-autosize/sidenav-autosize-example.css
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..8ab00588bb34
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/material-examples/sidenav-autosize/sidenav-autosize-example.css
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+.example-container {
+  width: 500px;
+  height: 300px;
+  border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+}
+
+.example-sidenav-content {
+  display: flex;
+  height: 100%;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+}
+
+.example-sidenav {
+  padding: 20px;
+}
diff --git a/src/material-examples/sidenav-autosize/sidenav-autosize-example.html b/src/material-examples/sidenav-autosize/sidenav-autosize-example.html
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..f9326a3846f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/material-examples/sidenav-autosize/sidenav-autosize-example.html
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+<mat-drawer-container class="example-container" autosize>
+  <mat-drawer #drawer class="example-sidenav" mode="side">
+    <p>Auto-resizing sidenav</p>
+    <p *ngIf="showFiller">Lorem, ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.</p>
+    <button (click)="showFiller = !showFiller" mat-raised-button>
+      Toggle extra text
+    </button>
+  </mat-drawer>
+
+  <div class="example-sidenav-content">
+    <button type="button" mat-button (click)="drawer.toggle()">
+      Toggle sidenav
+    </button>
+  </div>
+
+</mat-drawer-container>
diff --git a/src/material-examples/sidenav-autosize/sidenav-autosize-example.ts b/src/material-examples/sidenav-autosize/sidenav-autosize-example.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..f7565c094e0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/material-examples/sidenav-autosize/sidenav-autosize-example.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+import {Component} from '@angular/core';
+
+/**
+ * @title Autosize sidenav
+ */
+@Component({
+  selector: 'sidenav-autosize-example',
+  templateUrl: 'sidenav-autosize-example.html',
+  styleUrls: ['sidenav-autosize-example.css'],
+})
+export class SidenavAutosizeExample {
+  showFiller = false;
+}