Tool manual

How to use the Gradient tool

The Gradient tool fills a layer or selection with a smooth blend between colours. The line you drag sets its direction and length.

Where to find it

It is in the toolbar, in one slot with Paint Bucket. Right-click the slot, or press and hold it, to choose between them. Press G to pick it, and Shift+G to step through the other tools on that key.

How to use it

1. Choose the tool. Press G, or click the gradient swatch in the toolbar.
2. Pick the colours. Click the gradient preview at the start of the options bar to choose a preset or edit the colours. The first preset runs from foreground to background colour.
3. Pick a type. Choose Linear, Radial, Angle, Reflected or Diamond.
4. Drag. Drag across the canvas from where the gradient starts to where it ends. Hold Shift for 45 degree steps.

Options bar settings

• Gradient preview: Opens the presets and the gradient editor.
• Type buttons: The shape of the blend: straight, round from the centre, sweeping around a point, mirrored, or diamond-shaped.
• Opacity: How strongly the gradient covers what is there.
• Reverse and Dither: Reverse swaps the order of the colours. Dither adds a trace of noise so smooth blends do not show bands.

Tips and common mistakes

• Draw gradients on a new layer, then change its blend mode or opacity in the Layers panel.
• To fade a photo out gradually, select its layer mask and drag a black to white gradient across it.

Related

• How to use the Paint Bucket tool
• How to use the Brush tool
• How to use the Elliptical Marquee tool

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Checked 13 November 2026 in the current editor.

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