Add Text to an Image Online
Add captions, labels, titles or watermarks to an image. Style each text layer, position it on the preview and download the finished design. All processing happens locally in your browser.
Add Text to an Image Online
Drag and drop your JPG, PNG, or WebP image here, or click Browse Files to start adding text.
Your selected image is processed inside your browser.
The selected image is not uploaded to TryFormatter for processing.
What is Add Text to Image?
Add Text to Image lets you place captions, titles, labels, or text watermarks over a photo, screenshot, or graphic. You can create several text layers, change their appearance, move them around the image, and preview the finished design before downloading it.
The tool is useful for social media graphics, product labels, tutorial screenshots, presentation images, event announcements, and simple branded visuals. It provides focused text controls without requiring a full graphic-design application.
How to Add Text to an Image
- Choose an image: Drag a JPG, PNG, or WebP file into the workspace or select Browse Files.
- Add a text layer: Select Add Text, then enter the caption, title, label, or watermark you want to place on the image.
- Style the text: Choose the font, size, colour, alignment, opacity, outline, or background options available in the editor.
- Position the layer: Drag the text across the preview and place it where it does not hide an important part of the image.
- Add more text if needed: Create additional layers for subtitles, labels, prices, dates, or other information.
- Export the image: Select JPG, PNG, or WebP, review the preview, and choose Download Image.
Working With Multiple Text Layers
Each text layer can contain different words and use its own style, size, colour, position, and opacity. This makes it possible to combine a title, subtitle, label, and watermark without merging them during editing.
Select and Edit
Select a layer from the canvas or layer list to change its text and appearance without affecting other text elements.
Move and Arrange
Drag text into position and use available layer-order controls when one element needs to appear above or below another.
Undo and Redo
Use the history controls to reverse recent movement or styling changes and restore them when needed.
Keep the number of layers manageable. A few clearly organised text elements are usually easier to read than many small labels competing for attention.
Choosing Readable Fonts and Colours
Text should remain clear against the image behind it. Check the full preview instead of judging the text only from the settings panel.
- Use strong contrast: Place light text over dark areas or dark text over light areas.
- Choose a clear font: Simple sans-serif fonts usually work well for captions, labels, and small text.
- Limit font combinations: One or two related fonts normally produce a cleaner result than several unrelated styles.
- Keep captions short: Short text is easier to scan and less likely to cover the main subject.
- Check the final display size: Text that is readable on a large editor preview may appear too small when the image is used as a thumbnail.
- Protect important image areas: Avoid covering faces, product details, buttons, or other content that users need to see.
Text Outlines, Shadows, and Background Boxes
A photograph can contain both bright and dark areas, making one text colour difficult to read across the complete image. An outline, shadow, or background box can help separate the text from the picture.
Text Outline
Add a small contrasting outline when the text crosses areas with changing brightness. Avoid an outline that is so thick that it makes small letters difficult to recognise.
Text Shadow
A subtle shadow can improve separation from the background. Large or dark shadows may make the design look blurred or heavy.
Background Box
A solid or partly transparent box behind the text can create a clear caption area without changing the entire image.
Examples, Use Cases, and Watermarks
Captions and Titles
Add a headline, short explanation, quote, date, or event name to a photo or graphic.
Product Labels
Place a feature name, measurement, price, or short callout beside an important part of a product image.
Tutorial Screenshots
Add short step labels or instructions to help readers understand what they should select or enter.
Text Watermarks
Add a name, website, or brand label with reduced opacity. A watermark may discourage casual reuse, but it cannot guarantee that an image will not be copied or edited.
Positioning Text on an Image
Place the text where it supports the image rather than competing with it. Empty space around the subject is often a good location for titles and labels.
- Use centre alignment for short titles and symmetrical layouts.
- Use left alignment for multi-line captions because it is generally easier to read.
- Keep text away from the outer edge so it is not cut off when the image is displayed or cropped.
- Check that text layers do not overlap unless the overlap is intentional.
- Review rotated text carefully because extreme angles can reduce readability.
JPG, PNG, and WebP Output
Select the output format according to the type of image and where you plan to use it.
- JPG and JPEG: Suitable for photographs and images that do not need transparency. A higher quality setting may reduce visible compression but can increase file size.
- PNG: Useful for screenshots, graphics, logos, and images with sharp text or transparent areas.
- WebP: Suitable for modern websites and supports both photographic images and transparency.
Changing the output format can affect file size, transparency, and image appearance. Repeated JPG exports may introduce additional compression, so keep the original source file for future edits.
Browser Processing and Privacy
The selected image is processed inside the browser workspace while you add, position, and style text layers. The completed image is prepared for download from the current browser session.
Processing time can vary with the image dimensions, number of text layers, selected output format, and available device memory. Very large images may require more time and memory during preview and export.
Related Image Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add text to an image?
Choose a JPG, PNG, or WebP image, select Add Text, enter your words, adjust the text style and position, then download the finished image.
Can I add more than one text layer?
Yes. You can add multiple independent text layers and give each one its own text, font, size, colour, position, and other available styling options.
Can I move and rotate the text?
You can drag a selected text layer to another position on the image. Text rotation can also be adjusted when that control is available in the editor.
Can I add an outline or shadow?
Yes. The editor can apply available outline and shadow settings to improve text visibility. You can also use a background box when the image contains mixed light and dark areas.
Can I create a text watermark?
Yes. Add your name, website, or brand as a text layer, reduce its opacity, and position it on the image. A watermark may discourage casual reuse but cannot prevent copying.
Which image formats are supported?
You can use JPG, JPEG, PNG, and WebP images. The finished image can be exported in the output formats supported by the workspace.
Will transparent backgrounds be preserved?
PNG and WebP can support transparent areas. To keep transparency, select a transparent output format and avoid exporting the result as JPG.
Is my image uploaded to a server?
The selected image is processed inside the browser workspace. Publish a stronger no-upload statement only after confirming the production network behaviour.