How to Add Text to a Photo (2026): iPhone, Android, Canva and Free Online

How to add text to a photo: on iPhone, open it in Photos, tap Edit, then the Markup pen, then + > Text. On Android, use Edit > Markup > Text in Google Photos. For more fonts, use Canva or a free browser tool. Make the text at least 5% of the image height, with strong contrast, away from the edges.

Putting words on a picture takes seconds. Making them readable on a phone screen, in a feed full of other posts, is the harder part. This guide covers the built-in tools on iPhone and Android, Canva, and our free add text to image tool, which adds text, sale badges and price tags in your browser without uploading the photo. It also covers the rules that make text legible, and the marketplace rule that catches sellers out: most main product images can't have any text at all.

How do you add text to a photo on iPhone?

Use Markup in the Photos app. It's built in and works on any photo, including screenshots.

1. Open the photo in Photos and tap Edit.
2. Tap the Markup button (a pen tip) at the top of the screen.
3. Tap + at the bottom right and choose Text. A text box appears.
4. Double-tap the box and type your words.
5. Tap the Aa button to change the font, size and alignment, and the color circle to change the color.
6. Drag the box into place. Drag its blue dots to change its width.
7. Tap Done, then Done again to save.

Markup edits the original photo rather than making a copy. To get the original back, open it, tap Edit and choose Revert. If you want both versions, duplicate the photo first (More (…) > Duplicate). Markup has only a few fonts and no outline or shadow, so light text on a busy background can be hard to read. Apple occasionally moves these buttons between iOS versions; if yours look different, look for Markup under the Edit screen's menus.

How do you add text to a photo on Android?

Use Markup in Google Photos, which comes on most Android phones and is free on iPhone too.

1. Open the photo in Google Photos and tap Edit.
2. Scroll the tools and tap Markup.
3. Tap Text, type your words and pick a color.
4. Drag the text into place and pinch to resize it.
5. Tap Done, then Save copy to keep the original.

Google Photos' text tool is basic: a handful of colors and one font. On Samsung Galaxy phones, Samsung's own Gallery app has a Text option in its editor (under the decorations or drawing tools, depending on the One UI version) with a few more styles. Menu names vary by phone maker and app version.

How do you add text to a photo in Canva?

Upload the photo, add a text box from the Text tab, style it and download. Canva's free plan includes a large font library and text effects such as shadow and outline.

1. In Canva, create a design at the size you need (for example Instagram Post), or open the photo with the photo editor.
2. Upload your photo and drag it onto the page.
3. Open Text in the side panel and click Add a text box, or pick a ready-made text combination.
4. Type your words, then change the font, size and color in the top toolbar. Use Effects for shadow, outline or a background behind the text.
5. Click Share > Download and choose PNG or JPG.

Canva is the right choice for a designed graphic with several text blocks. It needs an account, and some fonts and elements are Pro-only.

How to add text to a photo with our free tool

Our add text to image tool runs in your browser with no sign-up, no credits and no watermark. The photo never leaves your device. It's built for product photos, so it includes sale badges and price tags as well as plain text.

1. Drop in a photo (JPG, PNG, WebP or HEIC).
2. Add a text layer, or pick a ready-made badge: SALE, -20%, NEW, BESTSELLER, FREE SHIPPING or a price tag.
3. Edit the words, then choose from 11 fonts, any text or badge color, an outline and a soft shadow.
4. Pick a badge shape (plain text, rounded label, circle, ribbon or price tag) or turn the shape off.
5. Drag each layer into place. For fine moves, select a layer and use the arrow keys; hold Shift for bigger steps.
6. Download as JPG or PNG at the photo's full resolution.

Text size is set as a share of the photo's shorter side, so the download matches the preview exactly.

Which method should you use?

How do you make text on a photo easy to read?

Use strong contrast, a large size, few words, and keep the text out of the areas apps cover with buttons. Most text on photos fails on contrast.

Contrast

White text on a pale sky or black text on a dark shadow disappears. Web accessibility guidelines (WCAG) ask for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text, which is a good target for photos too. If the background is busy, add one of these:

• A thin dark outline around light text (or the reverse).
• A soft drop shadow behind the letters.
• A solid or semi-transparent label behind the text.
• A darker band across the bottom of the photo.
• Place the text over the plainest part of the photo, such as sky, wall or table.

Size and length

Text should be at least about 5% of the image height for a headline, and bigger on images people see small, such as feed thumbnails and Pinterest pins. A 1080×1350 Instagram post needs a headline of roughly 60 pixels or more. Keep it to about seven words. If you need more, it belongs in the caption.

Safe areas

Apps draw buttons, profile names and captions over parts of the image. Keep text clear of them.

Safe-area sizes, which vary by app version and device, were checked in October 2026. Marketplaces change their rules, so confirm the current requirements in your seller dashboard before you upload a large batch.

For the sizes themselves, see our aspect ratio guide and TikTok video dimensions.

Can I add text to my product's main image?

Usually not. Amazon, Walmart and Google Shopping don't allow added text, logos, badges or graphics on the main image, and listings that break the rule can be suppressed.

Text earns its place on secondary images, where it can point out features, sizes and what's in the box. Our guide to Amazon infographic images shows how to lay those out. For multi-element graphics like sale banners, our design templates give you a starting layout.

Quick checklist before you post

1. Read the text on your phone at arm's length. If you squint, make it bigger.
2. Check contrast on the busiest part of the photo behind the letters.
3. Seven words or fewer for the headline.
4. Nothing within the app's button and caption areas.
5. Spelling, prices and dates double-checked.
6. No added text on any marketplace main image.

Frequently asked questions

How do I put words on a picture for free?

On iPhone, use Photos > Edit > Markup > + > Text. On Android, use Google Photos > Edit > Markup > Text. For more fonts and effects, free browser tools and Canva's free plan work on any device.

How do I add text to a photo on my iPhone without an app?

Open the photo in Photos, tap Edit, tap the Markup pen, then tap + and choose Text. Double-tap to type, use Aa to change the font and size, and tap Done twice to save. Revert undoes it later.

What is the best font for text on photos?

A bold sans-serif is the safest choice because it stays readable at small sizes and over textures. Avoid thin scripts on busy backgrounds. Use one font, two at most.

How do I make text stand out on a busy photo?

Add a dark outline or soft shadow to light text, or put a solid label behind it. Placing the text over the plainest part of the photo helps most.

Can I add text to an Amazon product image?

Not to the main image: Amazon doesn't allow added text, logos or graphics there. Text is commonly used on secondary images such as infographics; check Amazon's current rules for your category.

How do I add text to a photo on Android?

Open the photo in Google Photos, tap Edit, choose Markup, then Text. Type, pick a color, drag it into place, then tap Done and Save copy. Samsung's Gallery editor also has a Text option.