How to Curve Text in Canva (2026)
Canva’s Curve effect bends a line of text into an arc or a full circle — perfect for badges, logos, and stamps. Here’s how to apply and fine-tune it.
1. Curve Your Text
- Click the text box you want to curve (add text first if you haven’t).
- In the top toolbar, click Effects.
- Under Shape, click Curve.
- Drag the Curve slider to set how much it bends.
A positive value curves the text upward (smile); a negative value curves it downward (frown).
2. Make a Full Circle (Badge / Stamp)
Push the slider toward its maximum to wrap text into a near-circle. For a true badge:
- Use two text boxes — one curved up for the top, one curved down for the bottom.
- Center both over the same point and adjust each slider until they mirror.
3. Adjust Spacing and Size
After curving, refine with:
- Font size — bigger text needs a gentler curve to stay readable.
- Letter spacing — open Spacing in the toolbar and increase it so curved letters don’t crowd.
4. On Mobile
- Tap the text, then tap Effects in the bottom toolbar.
- Tap Curve and drag the slider.
5. Troubleshooting
The Curve effect is greyed out
You may have a shape or image selected, not a text box. Click directly on the text. Curve only applies to editable text.
Letters overlap on a tight curve
Increase letter spacing and reduce the curve amount, or shorten the text. Tight arcs crowd long words.
The curve looks lopsided
The text box isn’t centered over your design’s midpoint. Use Position > Align to page to center it, then adjust.
Related Canva guides: How to outline text · How to add a font · How to group elements · How to make a QR code. To turn spreadsheet rows into finished Canva designs automatically, see Carly’s Canva integration.
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