How to Draw Straight Lines in Photoshop (3 Simple Methods)

Making straight lines in Photoshop can be daunting for the beginner when you realize that old-school tricks like a school ruler aren’t transferrable.

Using the cursor to create straight lines will inevitably include a random wiggle, always falling short of the required perfect straight line.

So if you are like the rest of us and find it impossible to draw straight lines in Photoshop, this is the tutorial for you.

If you want to download Photoshop and follow along with the steps, just tap the button below for a free trial.

3 Methods for Drawing Straight Lines in Photoshop

Method 1 – The Line Tool

Navigate to the toolbar and click on the Rectangle Tool.

You’ll find the Line Tool in the drop-down submenu, click on the Line tool to select it.

Now you have the Line Tool selected Click on the canvas, Drag, and then Release to create a straight line.

Hit Return and the straight line will appear. Click, Drag, and Release again to create another straight line.

In the Line Tool Options Bar above your image, you can fine-tune the properties of the straight lines you draw.

Increase or decrease the width of the straight line by entering a new number in the Weight box, the smaller the number, the thinner the line.

You can select the color of the straight line in the Fill box, click the box, and pick a color.

To draw a horizontal straight line hold down the Shift Key and drag the cursor to the left or right.

To draw vertical straight lines hold the Shift Key down and drag the cursor up or down.

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Method 2 – The Brush Tool

To draw straight lines with the brush tool first create a new layer by clicking the Add Layer Button at the bottom of the Layers Panel.

Alternatively, navigate to Layer in the top menu bar, and from the drop-down menu select New > Layer.

Select the Brush Tool from the toolbar.

From the Brush Tool Options Bar above your canvas choose the size, opacity, and hardness factor of the brush you wish to draw your straight lines with.

To draw vertical or horizontal straight lines with the brush tool hold down the Shift Key and drag the cursor to the left or right for horizontal lines, and up or down for vertical lines.

If you want to draw a perfectly straight line at a different angle click down on the canvas with your Brush Tool where you want the straight line to start.

Now hold down the Shift Key and click where you want the straight line to finish, the straight line will run from the position of the first click to the final click.

You can draw a continuous zigzag line by using the Shift Key and Brush Tool in tandem. You can also create a dotted or dashed line.

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Method 3 – Pen Tool 

Navigate to the toolbar and click on the Pen Tool; in the submenu, select the first pen tool.

Option 1 – Shape

In the Pen Tool Option Menu, select Shape.

Choose the color and width of the straight line in the Pen Tool Option Menu.

Click on your canvas to create an Anchor Point, this will be the beginning of the straight line.

Click to add another Anchor Point where you want the straight line to end.

Photoshop will automatically create a line between the two anchor points.

To make vertical or horizontal lines, hold down the Shift key as you click.

Hit the Return key to finish, you will now have a perfectly straight line.

Option 2 – Path

In the Pen Tool Option Menu, select Path.

Click on your canvas to create an Anchor Point, this will be the beginning of the straight line.

Click to add another Anchor Point where you want the straight line to end.

Select the Brush Tool from the toolbar.

In the Brush Tool Option Menu, set the width, color, and opacity of the brush tool.

Photoshop will automatically create a line between the two anchor points.

When you hit the Return key, you will have a perfectly straight line.

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How do you make multiple straight lines in Photoshop?

Just as there are numerous ways to draw straight lines in Photoshop, there are also different options to create multiple straight lines in Photoshop.

The method you use will depend on if you want the straight lines to be uniform in size and length or if you want them to be different sizes and colors.

To create multiple straight lines, you can use one of the three methods mentioned above.

Simply repeat the process for each new line you wish to create.

To achieve multiple straight lines that are perfectly uniform in size, color and shape, use the copy-and-paste option.

Using copy and paste, you can create exact replicates of the original line.

To Copy and Paste, select the layer containing the line in the Layers Panel and press Command & C (for Mac) or Ctrl & C (for Windows) to copy the layer.

Press Command & V (for Mac) or Ctrl & V (for Windows) to paste and create a duplicate layer.

Now you are armed with a range of skills to create straight lines in Photoshop without breaking a sweat!

You should also read about how to type on a path in Photoshop, which will give you more creative options with the text and shapes.