Draw straight lines with the Pencil tool

Last updated on Sep 11, 2025

Learn how to draw constrained or unconstrained straight segments using the Pencil Tool.

Adobe Illustrator deeplink

Try it in the app
Use the Pencil tool to draw freehand or constrained paths in a few simple steps.

Select the Pencil   tool from the toolbar.

Do one of the following:

  • Constrained straight line: Hold down Shift, and when a straight-line icon appears on the Pencil   tool, draw a line constrained to 0, 45, or 90 degrees.
  • Unconstrained straight line: Hold down Option or Alt, and when a straight-line icon appears on the Pencil   tool, draw a line.

To draw a multi-line path, hold down Shift or Option/Alt, and then hover over the endpoint of the first line. When the path-continuation icon appears on the Pencil   tool, drag to draw the next line.