How to Add Text to a Photo Online or on Your Phone

Add text captions to your photos using a free online editor or mobile app.

Steps

  1. 1

    Open Canva or Pixlr

    in your browser, or open the Photos app on your phone.

  2. 2

    Upload the photo

    you want to edit. The photo appears in the editing area.

  3. 3

    Click the "Text" tool

    in the toolbar. A text box appears on your photo.

  4. 4

    Type your message

    into the text box. Drag the box to move the text where you want it.

  5. 5

    Change the font, color, and size

    in the options bar. Click "Save" or "Done" to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add text to a photo on my iPhone without an app?Show
Yes, open the photo in the Photos app and tap the markup tool to add text.
What font should I use for text on a photo?Show
Use a clean, bold font like Arial or Impact. Decorative fonts can be hard to read on top of images.
Can I change the text after saving the photo?Show
No, once you save the edited photo the text becomes part of the image and cannot be edited again.
Is there a free text tool for photos on a computer?Show
Yes, Canva and Pixlr are free and let you add text to photos directly in your browser without installing software.

Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated .