To add fonts to Canva, you usually do not need to add anything: click a text box, open the font menu in the top toolbar, and search the built-in library by name. When you want the same fonts every time, save them in your Brand Kit. If the font you need is not in the library, you can upload your own, which has its own steps and plan requirements. This guide covers the library, search, brand fonts, and how to choose between the options.
Where the Canva font library is
Canva’s fonts are built into the editor, so there is nothing to download or install. Here is how to reach them.
- Open a design and click a text box. To start a new one, click Text in the left panel and choose a heading, subheading, or body style, or press T on your keyboard.
- Look at the top toolbar. The current font name appears at the left, such as Open Sans.
- Click that name. A panel opens on the left with a search box and a scrolling list of fonts.
- Click a font and your selected text changes immediately.
The panel layout varies by device and version, but it generally groups fonts into sections, such as your brand fonts, fonts already used in the design, recently used fonts, and the full list. Canva updates its interface often, so if a label looks different, use the search box.
Search for a font by name
If you already know what you want, typing is faster than scrolling. Click the font name in the toolbar, click the search field, and type part of the name, such as “play” for Playfair Display. Results show a preview of each font drawn in its own style.
- Search the family name, not the weight. Look for “Montserrat”, then choose Bold with the Bold button.
- If a font does not appear, Canva may not offer it. Try a similar style or upload your own if your plan allows it.
Not sure what a font is called? See how to find a font from an image to get a name first, and then search for it in Canva.
Free and premium fonts
Many Canva fonts are available to everyone, and others require a paid plan. Premium items are generally marked in the interface, often with a crown icon. Plans and the set of fonts included change from time to time, so what you see in your account matters more than any list on a website. If a font is locked, you can pick a free alternative or upgrade, but check what is included before you pay.
Saving favorites
People often ask how to star or favorite fonts in Canva. I could not find a documented favorites feature in Canva’s help pages, so rather than guess, here are the features that do the same job.
| Goal | Use this | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Reuse fonts you just tried | Recently used fonts | Font panel, near the top of the list |
| Keep the same fonts across one design | Fonts already used in the document | Font panel |
| Keep the same fonts across all designs | Brand Kit fonts | Brand > your kit > Fonts |
Set brand fonts in your Brand Kit
A Brand Kit stores the fonts, colors, and logos you use repeatedly. According to Canva’s help page on brand fonts, this is available on Canva Pro, Teams, Business, Education, and Nonprofits plans, and on team plans only owners, administrators, and brand designers can set it up.
- From the Canva home screen, open Brand in the side panel.
- Choose your brand kit and go to the Fonts section.
- Pick a heading type, such as Title, Subtitle, Heading, Subheading, Section header, or Body text.
- Choose a font for it from the library, then save.
You can set one default font for each heading type in a kit, and each can have its own size, bold, and italic. After that, your brand fonts appear in the Text tab under your Brand Kit and at the top of the font selector. Team members who work in the kit see them too. To require only brand fonts, Canva points to a separate feature called Brand Controls.
Pick fonts that work together
Most good designs use two fonts. Use a distinctive one for headings and a plain, readable one for body text.
| Look | Heading | Body |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | Playfair Display | Montserrat |
| Modern | Montserrat Bold | Open Sans |
| Friendly | Quicksand | Nunito |
These families are open-licensed Google Fonts, and many are in Canva’s library, but search to confirm before you plan around one. For more ideas, browse our script fonts or handwritten fonts for accent text, and keep the body in a simple sans-serif.
When the Canva library does not have your font
Sometimes your brand uses a font Canva does not offer. In that case you can upload the file to your Brand Kit, as long as your plan includes it and the license allows it. We cover the requirements, accepted formats, and fixes in how to upload a font to Canva, so they are not repeated here. If you do not have a paid plan, choose the closest library font or consider the free route of building a consistent look from fonts that are already in the library. Building a recognizable look around two fonts and a few colors is also a good first step in personal branding.
Troubleshooting
- The font looks different on mobile. The app has the same library, but the panel layout differs. Tap the text, then tap the font name in the bottom toolbar.
- The text changed size when I swapped fonts. Fonts have different proportions. Adjust the size after changing a font.
- I cannot edit brand fonts. On team plans only certain roles can. Ask an owner or administrator.
- The font is missing in a shared design. Check that the person has access to the same brand kit or plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add my own font file to Canva?
Yes, on plans that include Brand Kit font uploads, which Canva has offered with its paid plans. The steps and plan requirements are in our guide to uploading a font to Canva. The built-in library works on any plan.
Are all Canva fonts free?
No. Many fonts are available on the free plan, while others are reserved for paid plans and marked as premium in the font panel. Plans and font access change, so check what your account shows.
How do I find the same font in Canva that I saw somewhere else?
Find the font’s name first, using a tool such as a font identifier, then search that name in the Canva font panel. If Canva does not carry it, search for a similar style instead. Look at letter shapes to judge how close a match is.
How do I use my brand fonts in every design?
Set them in your Brand Kit under Fonts, choosing a font for each heading type and for body text. They then appear in the Text tab and the font selector. Brand Kit fonts require a plan that includes the feature.
Why does my font look different after downloading from Canva?
Downloads as PDF, PNG, and JPG show the text as designed. Differences usually come from the preview size, an export setting such as a lower-quality file, or opening a design in another program, since editable files can depend on installed fonts.
