Easy Steps to Turn On and Use Snapping in Inkscape

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Easy instructions to enable and use snapping

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: February 13, 2024 Fact Checked

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Enabling Snapping

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Using Snapping

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Enabling the Grid and Guidelines

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Video

In Inkscape, you can enable snapping so that objects snap to other objects. This can be another shape, or line, a vector point (node), a guideline, or a grid line. This allows you to easily place objects in precise locations. This wikiHow article teaches you how to use snapping in Inkscape.

Quick Steps

Click the triangle icon (◀) in the upper-right corner.
Click the checkbox next to "Enable snapping."
Click "Advanced mode" at the bottom of the menu.
Check the items you want objects to snap to.
Click and drag objects and place them near objects you want them to snap to.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Enabling Snapping

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1
Click ◀. It's the icon that resembles a triangle pointing left in the upper-right corner. This displays a menu.
- The menu options are different in the latest version of Inkscape. If you are using an older version of Inkscape, be sure to download and install the latest version of Inkscape. You can download the latest version from https://inkscape.org/release/
2
Click the checkbox next to "Enable snapping." It's at the top of the menu that appears when you click the triangle icon. This enables basic snapping.

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3
Click Advanced mode. It's the blue text at the bottom of the menu that appears when you click the triangle icon. This menu with different snapping options you can check to enable snapping.
4
Check the items you want to enable snapping for. The options are as follows:
- Bounding box: This allows objects to snap to the bounding box that surrounds a selected object.
- Edges: This allows objects to snap to the edge of another object.
- Corners: This allows objects to snap to the corners of an object's shape.
- Edge midpoint: This allows objects to snap to the center point of a line or edge.
- Centers: This allows objects to snap to the center of another object.
- Nodes: This allows objects to snap to the nodes or vector points in an object's shape.
- Path intersections: This allows objects to snap to the point where two lines intersect.
- Cusp Nodes: This allows objects to snap to nodes or vector points where one curved line connects to another curved line curving in a different direction.
- Smooth nodes: This allows objects to snap to nodes or vector points that are part of a smooth line curve.
- Line midpoints: This allows objects to snap to a node or vector point that is in the middle of a straight line.
- Perpendicular lines: This allows objects to snap to a point where two perpendicular lines meet.
- Tangential Lines: This allows an object to snap to a point where one line touches another line.
- Other Points: This enables snapping for a variety of other points, which are listed below.
- Object midpoint: This allows objects to snap to the center point of another object.
- Object rotation centers: This allows objects to snap to the rotation point of another object.
- Text baselines and anchors: This allows objects to snap to the bottom left corner of text characters.
- Masks: This allows objects to snap to an object mask.
- Clips: This allows objects to snap to a point where a mask cuts off another object.
- Alignment: This allows objects to snap to an alignment with other objects.
- Nodes in same path: This allows nodes or vector points in the same line to snap to a straight level vertical or horizontal alignment.
- Same distances: This allows multiple objects to snap to an alignment that is the same distance from other objects.
- Grids: This allows objects to snap to the lines and corners of a grid. You must have the grid turned on to use this option.
- Guide lines: This allows objects to snap to any guidelines you have set on the page.
- Page borders: This allows objects to snap to the edges and corners of a page.
- Page margins: This allows objects to snap to any margins you have set for your page.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Using Snapping

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1
Click the selection tool. It's the icon that resembles a black mouse cursor in the toolbar to the left.
- Alternatively, you can press S on the keyboard to select the Selection.
2
Click and drag an object near another object. You will notice how when you drag one object close to another object, it will start to snap to various points. These are all the different points you have checked in the snapping menu.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Enabling the Grid and Guidelines

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1
Click View. It's in the menu bar at the top.
2
Check the checkbox next to "Page Grid." This turns on the grid. If you have snapping to the grid enabled, your objects will snap to the corner points of the grid spaces.
3
Click the checkbox next to "Guides." It's in the "View" menu. This allows you to add guidelines to your document.
4
Click and drag a guideline onto the page. To do so, click one of the rulers from the top or left side of the document. Drag a guideline from the ruler and onto your document. If you have snapping to guides enabled, objects will snap to the guidelines you have on your document.
- The closest point of a shape you click and drag will be the point that snaps to the grid or guidelines.