Change the caps or joins of a line

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Learn how to adjust the cap and join styles of strokes using the Stroke panel.

A Cap is the end of an open line, and a join is where a straight line changes direction or turns a corner. You can change the caps and corners of a line by adjusting the object’s stroke attributes.

Select Window > Stroke to open the Stroke panel. 

Select the object in your artwork.

In the Stroke panel, select Show Options from the Stroke panel menu .

To modify caps, select one of the following:

  • Butt Cap: Creates stroked lines with squared ends.
  • Round Cap: Creates stroked lines with semicircular ends.
  • Projecting Cap: Creates stroked lines with squared ends that extend half the line width beyond the end of the line. This option makes the weight of the line extend equally in all directions around the line.

To modify joins, select one of the following:

  • Miter Join: Creates stroked lines with pointed corners. Enter a Limit between 1 and 500.
  • Round Join: Creates stroked lines with rounded corners.
  • Bevel Join: Creates stroked lines with squared corners.
The Stroke panel displays cap options and join options, to adjust stroke ends and corner styles, with stroke weight and alignment settings.
Modify corner styles in the Stroke panel.