Create smoother brush strokes using stroke smoothing

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Learn how to control line quality and reduce shakiness with stroke smoothing in Adobe Photoshop.

Adobe Photoshop includes a stroke smoothing feature that helps you draw cleaner, more precise strokes with supported tools like the Brush, Pencil, Mixer Brush, and Eraser. Photoshop intelligently adjusts your stroke as you paint to reduce shakiness and produce a more polished line.

You can customize the level of smoothing using a slider and choose from different smoothing modes based on how you work. This feature is handy when drawing freehand or using a mouse instead of a stylus.

Stroke smoothing settings

Smoothing amount: Set a value between 0 and 100 to control how much smoothing is applied. Lower values apply minimal correction. Higher values result in stronger smoothing but may slightly delay the stroke preview.

Smoothing modes:
Select the gear icon to access more stroke smoothing options:

Pulled String Mode – The stroke follows a trailing anchor, helping with tight curves.

Stroke Catch-up – Finishes the stroke if you pause mid-draw.

Catch-up on Stroke End – Smooths the stroke when you release the brush.

Adjust for Zoom – Keeps smoothing consistent at any zoom level.

Each mode offers flexibility and can be enabled individually depending on your needs.