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Where Is My Gradient Tool in Photoshop?

Last updated on January 25, 2023 @ 5:08 pm

If you’re using Photoshop CS6 or earlier, your gradient tool is probably where you left it last. In the toolbox, it’s the fourth tool down, between the paint bucket and the eraser. If you can’t see it, make sure you’re not in Quick Mask mode (press Q to exit Quick Mask mode).

In Photoshop CC (Creative Cloud), the gradient tool has been moved. It’s now nested with the paintbrush and pencil tools, under the brush tool. To select it, click and hold on the brush tool, then select the gradient tool from the flyout menu.

To create a gradient:

  1. Select the gradient tool from the toolbar.

  2. In the options bar at the top of the screen, choose a gradient type. Linear gradients fade from one color to another in a straight line. Radial gradients fade from one color to another in a circular or elliptical pattern.
    Angle gradients change color as they radiate outwards from a central point in a specified angle.

  3. Click on the gradient editor to open a dialog box where you can specify precisely which colors to use in your gradient, how transparent each color should be, and how fast the colors should transition from one to another.

  4. Click and drag on your image to create a gradient. The further you drag, the longer the gradient will be. You can also click on multiple points to create multiple gradients that blend into each other.

PRO TIP: If you are using Photoshop and cannot find your gradient tool, it may have been moved or hidden. To check if this is the case, go to the ‘Window’ menu and look for the ‘Gradient’ option. If it is not there, your gradient tool has likely been moved or hidden.
Drew Clemente

Drew Clemente

Devops & Sysadmin engineer. I basically build infrastructure online.