Modify anchor points on paths

Last updated on Oct 9, 2026

Add, delete, and convert anchor points to control path shapes and curves precisely.

Fine-tuning anchor points gives you precise control when creating custom selections, vector masks, or shape layers.

Before You Begin

Open an image in Adobe Photoshop.
Create or select a path in the Paths panel before editing path components.
Practice these techniques in Photoshop to refine your path editing skills.

Explore anchor point editing techniques directly in Photoshop to see how they transform your paths.

Add anchor points to a path

Select the Pen tool or the Add Anchor Point tool from the toolbar.

Position the pointer over a path segment where you want to add an anchor point.

Click the path segment to add the anchor point.

Note

By default, the Pen tool switches to the Add Anchor Point tool when positioned over a selected path segment if Auto Add/Delete is selected in the options bar.

Delete anchor points from a path

Select the Pen tool or the Delete Anchor Point tool from the toolbar.

Position the pointer over an anchor point you want to remove.

Click the anchor point to delete it.

Caution

Don't use the Delete or Backspace keys or the Edit > Cut or Edit > Clear commands to delete anchor points. These commands delete both the point and the line segments that connect to it.

Disable automatic Pen tool switching

Select the Pen tool from the toolbar.

Deselect Auto Add/Delete in the options bar.

With this option disabled, the Pen tool won't automatically switch to the Add Anchor Point tool or Delete Anchor Point tool when positioned over paths or anchor points. This is useful when you want to start a new path on top of an existing path.

Convert anchor points between types

Select the path containing the anchor point you want to convert.

Select the Convert Point tool from the toolbar, or select the Pen tool and hold Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS).

Position the Convert Point tool over the anchor point you want to convert.

Apply one of the conversion methods:

To convert a corner point to a smooth point: Drag away from the corner point to create direction lines.
To convert a smooth point to a corner point: Click the smooth point to remove direction lines.
To convert a corner point to one with independent direction lines: First drag a direction point out of the corner point to make it smooth. Release the mouse button only (don't release modifier keys), then drag either direction point.
To convert a smooth point to a corner with independent direction lines: Drag either direction point.

Tip

To activate the Convert Point tool while the Direct Selection tool is selected, position the pointer over an anchor point and press Ctrl + Alt (Windows) or Command + Option (macOS).

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