Fill paths with color

Last updated on Oct 4, 2026

Learn how to use the Fill Path option to add solid colors, patterns, or gradients to any path created with the Pen tool in Adobe Photoshop.

Filling a path converts a vector outline into pixels on your canvas, allowing you to apply colors, patterns, or gradients to complete your design.

Use Fill Path to convert a path created with the Pen tool into a filled image element. The command applies pixels to the active layer using the selected color, pattern, or other fill content. Use the stroke paths with color option to add only an outline.

Note

Fill Path is unavailable when a mask, text, fill, adjustment, or smart object layer is active. Select a standard or background layer before filling a path.

For a quick fill using the current foreground color and default settings, use the Fill Path option. To customize opacity, blending modes, feathering, and other settings, use the extended Fill Path options.

Fill a path quickly

Select the path in the Window > Paths panel.

Select the Fill Path icon at the bottom of the Paths panel.

The path immediately fills with the current foreground color at 100% opacity in normal blending mode.

Fill a path with custom options

Select the path in the Paths panel.

Select Fill Subpath from the Paths panel menu.

In the Contents drop-down menu, select your fill content: Foreground Color, Background Color, Color (to choose a custom color), Pattern, History, Black, 50% Gray, or White.

In the Mode drop-down menu, select the control of how the fill interacts with existing pixels.

Set the Opacity value to control fill transparency. Enter a percentage between 1% (nearly transparent) and 100% (completely opaque).

Select Preserve Transparency to restrict the fill to areas of the layer that already contain pixels.

Enter a Feather Radius value in pixels to soften the fill edge by extending the feather both inside and outside the path boundary. Leave at 0 for a sharp edge.

Select Anti-alias to create smoother transitions between filled pixels and surrounding areas by partially filling edge pixels.

Select OK to apply the fill with your specified settings.

Tip

The Mode list includes a Clear option that sets transparency to 0. This mode requires an active layer, not the background layer.

After filling your path, the color values appear on the active layer. The path itself remains in the Paths panel and can be filled again with different settings or used for other purposes.

Use stroke paths with color to add colored borders to paths instead of fills and use fill and stroke selections, layers, and paths for filling selections.

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