Typography is essential in creating design that not only looks good but also aligns with your brand identity. Whether you’re copying a look you’ve seen online or ensuring everything is the same in marketing materials, being able to identify and use the right fonts is crucial. While Canva does offer a wonderful collection of fonts and customizations, it does not have an in-built font identifier — so it is important to learn how to work around that. In this tutorial, you will learn handy steps and tools to help you identify fonts from images and use them effectively in your Canva projects. 

Key Takeaways 

• Canva doesn’t offer native font recognition, but you can still identify fonts using external tools. 

• You’ll learn how to import images into Canva and manually match fonts from its library. 

• Third-party tools like WhatTheFont and FontSquirrel can accurately detect fonts from images. 

• Uploading custom fonts to Canva is simple and allows you to maintain brand consistency. 

Does Canva Have a Font Identifier? 

Canva is full of features for styling and customizing text, but one thing it still lacks is a font-identifier feature. That is to say, if you notice a font in an image — perhaps in a logo, poster, or screenshot — Canva won’t immediately tell you what it is. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of luck. There are some awesome workarounds that combine Canva’s design capabilities with third-party font recognition software so that you can easily find and use the correct typography. 

How to Import an Image into Canva 

To start identifying a font from an image, the first step is getting that image into your Canva workspace. This allows you to visually compare fonts side by side as you work through the matching process. 

Step-by-Step Guide: 

1. Open a Project
   Start a new design or open an existing one in Canva. 
2. Upload the Image
   Click on the “Uploads” tab in the left toolbar, then select “Upload files” to choose an image from your device. 
3. Add the Image to Your Canvas
   Once uploaded, drag the image onto your design. Resize and position it for a clear view of the text you want to match. 

Uploading your reference image sets the stage for manual matching or using external font tools in the next steps. 

Manually Matching Fonts in Canva 

Once your image is on the canvas, you can begin the process of manually identifying and matching the font using Canva’s built-in library. While this method requires a bit of visual judgment, it’s surprisingly effective with the right approach. 

Tips for Manual Font Matching: 

• Create a Text Box
  Type out the same word or phrase shown in your image so you can compare it directly. 

• Browse Fonts Visually
  Use the font dropdown menu to scroll through available fonts in Canva. Look closely at details like letter shape, thickness, and spacing. 

• Adjust Styling for Accuracy
  Tweak text size, letter spacing, and weight to better align with the original. 

• Use Font Pairing Suggestions
  Canva often recommends font pairings that resemble popular styles—helpful if you’re trying to recreate a branded look. 

This manual method works well for common fonts and is a useful first step before turning to automated tools. 

Using Font Identification Tools 

If manual matching doesn’t get you close enough, font identification tools can help you pinpoint the exact typeface — or at least a close alternative. These tools use image recognition to analyze the text and suggest font matches, saving you time and guesswork. 

Top Font Detection Tools: 

• WhatTheFont (by MyFonts)
  Upload your image and the tool quickly scans it, offering font suggestions based on visual characteristics. 

• FontSquirrel Matcherator
  A robust option that can identify fonts and provide download links for commercial or free use. 

• Fontspring Matcherator
  Similar to FontSquirrel but with a slightly different algorithm and additional font detail support. 

How to Use These Tools with Canva: 

1. Upload your image to the tool. 
2. Let the tool identify possible fonts. 
3. Search for the suggested font in Canva’s library. 
4. If it’s not available, download the font and upload it to Canva (Pro feature only). 

These tools are especially helpful when you’re working with stylized or less common fonts that aren’t easy to eyeball. 

How to Use Identified Fonts in Canva 

Once you’ve identified the font you want to use — either through manual matching or an external tool — the next step is integrating it into your Canva project. If the font is already available in Canva’s library, you can use it right away. If not, Canva Pro users have the option to upload custom fonts. 

Using a Font Found in Canva: 

1. Select your text box. 
2. Open the font dropdown and type the font name. 
3. Apply it and adjust size, spacing, or weight as needed. 

Uploading a Custom Font (Canva Pro only): 

1. Go to your Brand Kit from the Canva home dashboard. 
2. Scroll to the Fonts section and click “Upload a font.” 
3. Choose the font file (OTF, TTF, or WOFF) from your computer. 
4. Confirm you have the right to use the font commercially. 
5. Once uploaded, it will appear under Uploaded Fonts and be available in your editor. 

This process allows you to maintain brand consistency and ensure your designs look exactly as intended. 

Best Practices for Font Use 

Choosing the right font is only half the battle — how you use it can make or break your design. Following a few best practices can help you maintain visual consistency, enhance readability, and create polished, professional-looking projects in Canva. 

Tips for Effective Font Usage: 

• Be Consistent
  Stick to 1–2 fonts across your design. Too many typefaces can make your project feel cluttered and unfocused. 

• Prioritize Readability
  Avoid overly decorative fonts for body text. Use clean, legible fonts and ensure sufficient contrast with the background. 

• Pair Fonts Wisely
  Combine a bold heading font with a simpler body font (e.g., serif + sans-serif). Canva’s font pairing suggestions can help you strike the right balance. 

• Align with Your Brand
  Choose fonts that reflect your brand’s personality—whether it’s modern and sleek, playful and casual, or classic and elegant. 

When used thoughtfully, fonts can elevate your design, reinforce messaging, and create a cohesive visual experience. 

Design Tips for a Professional Look 

Choosing a good font is crucial, but making the right presentation of it in your design is equally crucial. Canva offers a couple of easy-built-in features to help you in creating clean and neat designs appear professional-looking — even if you’re not a professional designer. 

Start with Templates 

Start with Canva templates. They’re created by experts and feature well-proportioned layouts, effective font pairing, and smart use of space. Customize them with your own text and colors to maintain it on-brand. 

Utilize Alignment Tools and Grids 

Ensure your design remains clean by utilizing Canva’s grid systems and alignment tools. They help you maintain elements in perfectly aligned positions, thereby preventing an off-balance or messy design. 

Create Breathing Room 

Space must always be respected. Give enough space to your text and elements so that they do not get pushed together or near the edges. Clean spacing leads to clarity and easier readability. 

Step Back and Review 

After designing, take a moment to step back. Look at your layout with fresh eyes. Make minor tweaks to font sizes, spacing, or positioning if needed. These final adjustments often make the biggest difference in overall quality.