Write with the Pen Tool and Pencil Tool

The Pen Tool and Pencil Tool let you hand-write your notes just like the traditional way on paper. As you can see, it's the most important tool to master!

How to Use the Pen Tool

Write

Select the Pen Tool from the toolbar, then write on the page.

Set stroke color

Tap one of the color slots in the Contextual Section on the right. To customize the slot, tap it again and choose a preset, or tap the multi-colored slot at the end to add a custom color.

Set stroke thickness

Tap one of the thickness slots in the Contextual Section. Tap the slot again to adjust its thickness value.

Dotted & Dash lines

Tap one of the thickness slots in the Contextual Section. Tap the slot again to choose from Solid, Dashed, and Dotted Lines.

Circle to Lasso

Switch to lasso tools by simply drawing a circle around objects while using Pen Tool. Check out this article on how to use Circle to Lasso.

How to Customize the Pen Tool

As with all tools, you can tap the tool again to access its settings.

Change the pen style

Choose any of the following:

Fountain Pen - for your everyday notes and sketches (pressure sensitive)
Ball Pen - for your everyday notes and sketches (not pressure sensitive)
Brush Pen - for more artistic sketches, drawings, and lettering (highly pressure sensitive)

Set the appearance of the selected pen style

Drag the appropriate slider(s), if available:
- Tip Sharpness: This adjusts how sharp the end of the stroke is.
- Pressure Sensitivity: This changes how thick or thin your line is based on how hard you press with your Apple Pencil. Remember, the "Min" value doesn't remove sensitivity.

Draw and Hold

Draw and Hold: With this enabled, you can draw a perfect line/curve/oval/polygon by drawing a rough shape in one stroke (i.e. without lifting the pen) and holding your pen briefly at the end of the stroke.

Pen Gestures

Scribble to Erase: You can scribble over some strokes to erase them quickly.
Erase Shapes and Highlighter: You can also erase shapes and highlighting this way.

Disconnect Stylus

If you wish to draw with your finger, choose Disconnect Stylus.

How to Use the Pencil Tool (NEW!)

Pencil Tool allows you to make realistic shading and drawing feel. This tool reacts to stylus angle and pressure on supported stylus.

Write

Select the Pencil Tool from the toolbar, then write on the page.

Set stroke color

Tap one of the color slots in the Contextual Section on the right. To customize the slot, tap it again and choose a preset, or tap the multi-colored slot at the end to add a custom color.

Set stroke thickness

Tap one of the thickness slots in the Contextual Section. Tap the slot again to adjust its thickness value.

How to Customize the Pencil Tool

As with all tools, you can tap the tool again to access its settings.

Draw and Hold

Draw and Hold: With this enabled, you can draw a perfect line/curve/oval/polygon by drawing a rough shape in one stroke (i.e. without lifting the pen) and holding your pen briefly at the end of the stroke.

Note: Custom colors and pen settings will be reset when you sign out or sign in on a different device.