4 Easy Steps to Make a Gradient in GIMP

Adding color gradients is a breeze with GIMP

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: October 7, 2024 Fact Checked

Do you want to include a layer of a rainbow or colors blending, like in a gradient, in your GIMP image? Using the Gradient Tool makes this a simple process that anyone can do! Read on to learn more about how to make gradients in GIMP. Note that this method works with the updated versions of GIMP (2.10+).

Quick Steps

Press G on your keyboard to activate the Gradient Tool.
Use the gradient icon in the Tool Options window to adjust how your gradient appears.
Drag and drop your mouse over your canvas to draw the gradient.
Edit it more in the Tool Options window to change how it looks.
Save your file.

Steps

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1
Press G to select the Gradient fill icon. Alternatively, you can click the Gradient Tool icon in the toolbox, which shares a button with Bucket Fill, or select the tool by going to Tools > Paint Tools > Gradient.
2
Select a gradient style from the "Opacity" menu. This menu, which has a gradient icon, is in the Gradient options in the right panel. The gradient thumbnails offer various presets, like blending from pink to blue, but you can also adjust the blending options or colors to customize how it looks.
- You can also set the gradient shape (circular, rectangular, or linear), opacity (how much you can see through it), and if the gradient repeats.^{[1]
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- If you don't see the Gradient panel, enable it in Windows > Dockable Dialogs > Tool Options.
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3
Click and drag the canvas to create the gradient. You can click and drag points on the gradient to adjust it after it's on the screen.
- Return to the options toolbar to further adjust how the gradient looks.
4
Save the file. Once you are happy with the gradient, click File and select Save.^{[2]
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