How to add text to a photo online
Adding text directly onto a photo is useful for captions, labels, simple posters, or marking an image with a name or date.
How to add text
- Open the Image Editor.
- Upload your photo.
- Use the text tool to type and position your text.
- Adjust size and colour so it's readable against the background.
- Download the result.
Keeping text readable
Text needs contrast against its background to be legible — light text on a light photo area (or dark on dark) disappears. A subtle background box or outline behind the text solves this on busy photos.
For a repeating watermark across many images
If you're labelling many photos with the same text — a photographer's watermark, for example — doing this one at a time in the Image Editor works but is slow for a large batch; dedicated batch-watermarking software may be faster for that specific case.
Choosing font size for different uses
Text meant to be read on a phone screen needs to be noticeably larger than text viewed full-size on a monitor — err on the larger side if you are not sure how the image will ultimately be viewed.
For social media graphics
If you are creating a graphic with text for a specific platform, check that platform's current recommended image dimensions first using the Aspect Ratio Calculator, then add your text so it sits well within that shape rather than being cropped at the edges.
Consistent branding across multiple images
If you are labelling a series of images the same way — a watermark, a consistent caption style — settling on one font, size and position and reusing those exact settings each time gives a more professional, cohesive look than varying it image by image.
