Select the Type on a Path tool or select the Vertical Type on a Path tool.
Last updated on
Oct 22, 2026
Learn how to flow text along the outline of any open or closed path or shape in Adobe Illustrator, then move, flip, and restyle it to fit your design.
The Type on a Path tool flows text horizontally or vertically along any open or closed path, including circles, stars, and custom shapes. Use it for logos, badges, and any artwork where text needs to follow a specific contour. To adjust the vertical position of text on a straight baseline, use Baseline Shift in the Character panel instead.
Add text to a path
Select the path or shape outline where you want the text to begin.
Type your text or paste copied text.
Select the Selection tool to finish editing.
If the text doesn't fit along the path, a small square appears at the end of the path to mark the overflow. Resize the type area or reduce the font size to display all the text.
Note
Illustrator removes any stroke or fill from the path once you select it with a Type tool.
Move or flip text along a path
Select the path using the Selection tool or the Direct Selection tool.
Do one of the following:
- To move the text along the path, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS), and then drag the center bracket.
- To flip the text to the other side of the path, drag the center bracket to the other side.
For circular paths, you can pull text inside the circle by entering a negative value in the Baseline Shift option in the Character panel.
Apply path type effects
Select the path.
Select Type > Type on a Path and then select an effect:
- Rainbow: Keeps each character perpendicular to the path's baseline. This is the default effect.
- Skew: Slants the left edge of each character to follow the baseline while keeping the right edge vertical.
- 3D Ribbon: Keeps character edges horizontal while rotating characters to follow the path's perspective.
- Stair Step: Aligns the left edge of each character's baseline to the path without rotating the characters.
- Gravity: Centers each character on the path and keeps its edges parallel to the path's center point. Gravity looks the same as Rainbow on a perfectly circular path, but the two effects produce different results on oval, square, rectangular, or irregular paths.
Adjust alignment to a path
Select the path.
Select Type > Type on a Path > Type on a Path Options.
Select an option from the Align to Path menu, and then select OK.
Align to Path options:
- Ascender: Aligns the top edge of the font. The highest point on characters like h or l, to the path.
- Descender: Aligns the bottom edge of the font. The lowest point on characters like g or y, to the path.
- Center: Aligns the midpoint between the ascender and descender to the path.
- Baseline: Aligns the baseline, where most characters sit, to the path. This is the default setting.
Characters without ascenders or descenders, such as a or e, align vertically with characters that have them.
Adjust character spacing on a path
Select the type object.
Select Type > Type on a Path > Type on a Path Options.
Enter a value in the Spacing field, and then select OK.
Spacing adjusts the distance between characters on curved sections of a path. For straight segments, use Kerning or Tracking in the Character panel instead.
Tip
Curve your text with confidence. A negative Baseline Shift value moves text across a path without changing its direction, which is perfect for pulling text inside a circle.
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