How to Use the Pen Tool in Figma

The Pen Tool in Figma is one of the most powerful vector drawing tools for custom shapes, paths, and illustrations. Whether you’re designing icons, wireframes, or complex illustrations, mastering the Pen Tool allows you to build precisely what you envision—down to the very anchor point.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to use the Pen Tool effectively in Figma, covering key features, shortcuts, and best practices.

🔧 Where to Find the Pen Tool

You can access the Pen Tool in Figma in three ways:

Toolbar: Click the pen icon from the top toolbar.
Right-click: Right-click anywhere on the canvas, go to “Vector Tools” > “Pen”.
Keyboard shortcut: Press P on your keyboard.

✏️ Drawing with the Pen Tool

Once the Pen Tool is selected:

Click to place anchor points — each click drops a corner point.
Click and drag to create curved Bézier handles for smooth curves.
Close the shape by clicking the first point again, or press Enter to finish an open path.

As you draw:

Holding Shift constrains lines to 45° angles.
Holding Option (Alt) lets you adjust handle direction manually.

🧠 Understanding Anchor Points

Figma uses three types of anchor points:

Corner Point: Creates a hard corner (straight line).
Smooth Point: Bézier handles move symmetrically for smooth curves.
Disconnected Point: Bézier handles move independently, allowing sharp angle transitions.

To convert between types:

Select a point and right-click > Convert to Corner/Smooth Point.

✂️ Editing Your Path

After creating a shape:

Switch to the Move Tool (V) to drag and adjust.
Use the Bend Tool (in the toolbar) to convert a straight segment into a curve.
Add or delete anchor points by double-clicking or using the vector edit mode.

🧩 Combining with Other Tools

The Pen Tool works seamlessly with:

Boolean operations to combine or subtract paths.
Fill, Stroke, and Effects to style your vector shape.
Constraints and Layouts for responsive designs.

💡 Tips for Better Pen Tool Use

Use Snap to Pixel Grid for sharp icons and UI elements.
Zoom in closely for precision path placement.
Practice drawing common shapes like icons or wave curves to master control.

🎯 When to Use the Pen Tool

Use the Pen Tool in Figma when you need:

Custom icons and illustrations.
Irregular UI shapes like curves, swooshes, or organic paths.
Line art or design flourishes that can’t be made from basic shapes.

🏁 Final Thoughts

The Pen Tool unlocks a whole new layer of creative freedom in Figma. While it takes a little practice, it becomes a powerful extension of your design skills. Start with basic shapes, then experiment with curves, path edits, and layering techniques.

Shortcut to remember: P = Pen Tool.

Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be drawing clean, custom vectors like a pro.