How to Add Text to Photos in Canva Online

Before you start

Canva's photo text editor runs online, so you need a current desktop or mobile browser and a Canva account. The tools described here apply to a design opened in the Canva editor, not to text added directly through a camera app. Prepare the photo you want to edit and confirm you can sign in to Canva before opening the editor.

Step-by-step instructions

1) Open Canva in your browser and sign in. 2. On the home page, select Create a design or open an existing design that contains the photo. 3. If you are starting from a blank document, add the photo by choosing Uploads and dragging the file onto the page. 4. Select Text from the left-side panel, then choose a text style such as a heading or add a plain text box. 5. Click the text box on the canvas and type your text. 6. Drag the text box to place it over the photo. 7. Use the toolbar above the canvas to change font, size, color, spacing, alignment, or transparency. 8. To keep elements aligned, enable rulers or guides from the view settings if available in your account.

Canva's interface may change between account types and browser versions. If a control described here is not visible, open the text settings for the selected text box and look for the same property under a similar name. Changes you make in the editor remain reversible while the design is open.

Check the output

Zoom in on the photo to check that text remains legible against the image. Export a copy using Download and inspect the saved file. Pay attention to the file format you choose: PNG preserves transparency, while JPEG uses compression and may introduce artifacts around small text. For print or large screens, compare the design's pixel dimensions or aspect ratio with the intended use before downloading.

Common problems and next steps

If text is hard to read, increase contrast by placing a semi-transparent shape behind the text or moving the text to a less detailed area of the photo. When the downloaded image looks blurry, check that the export size matches the design's pixel dimensions and avoid enlarging a small photo beyond its original resolution. If you need to reuse text without the photo, download a PNG with a transparent background or keep an editable copy of the design. The online editor requires a network connection, so save your work if the connection becomes unstable.