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Change tool pointers
Last updated on
Oct 27, 2025
Customize how your tool cursors appear by switching between standard icons, precise crosshairs, or brush size indicators for better control and accuracy.
Photoshop offers different cursor styles to help you work more precisely with various tools. Each tool pointer has a hotspot where an effect or action begins in your image. By changing the cursor display, you can better visualize this hotspot and work more accurately.
The default pointer for most tools matches their icon in the Tools panel. However, when working on detailed projects, you might prefer more precise cursors that show precisely where your edits will take effect.
Select one of the following options from Painting Cursors:
- Standard: Displays pointers as tool icons.
- Precise: Displays pointers as cross hairs.
- Normal Brush Tip: Displays an outline corresponding to about 50% of the area the tool will affect.
- Full Size Brush Tip: Displays an outline corresponding to nearly 100% of the area the tool will affect.
- Show Crosshair in Brush Tip: Displays cross hairs in the center of the brush shape.
- Show Only Crosshair While Painting: Improves performance with large brushes.
Select Standard or Precise from Other Cursors.
Select a color from Brush Preview.
Select OK to apply your changes.
Tip
Hold Alt + right-click mouse (Windows) or Control + Option (macOS) and drag left or right to resize the brush cursor.
Hold Alt + right-click mouse (Windows) or Control + Option (macOS) and drag up or down to change the brush hardness.
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