Excalidraw is a virtual whiteboard built for the web. It mimics the feel of sketching on paper while offering digital benefits: undo/redo, export, sharing, and real-time collaboration. Unlike pixel-perfect design tools, Excalidraw embraces a rough, hand-drawn aesthetic that encourages ideation over polish. It is widely used for flowcharts, wireframes, technical diagrams, brainstorming, and meeting notes. The tool is free, open source, and runs entirely in the browser.
Features
Excalidraw provides the tools you need to sketch ideas quickly and share them with your team.
Hand-Drawn Style:Elements look sketched by hand. Diagrams feel approachable and easy to understand without sacrificing clarity.
Shapes & Connectors:Rectangles, arrows, diamonds, and more. Smart connectors snap to elements and stay attached when you move them.
Libraries:Add custom libraries for charts, icons, and recurring elements. Reuse assets across projects.
Export Options:Export as PNG or SVG. PNG for presentations and docs; SVG for vector scaling and further editing.
Dark Mode:Toggle between light and dark canvas backgrounds. Reduces eye strain when working for long sessions.
Keyboard Shortcuts:Full keyboard support for power users. Fast copy, paste, align, and transform without touching the mouse.
How to Use Excalidraw
Get started in seconds. No signup required. Draw, export, and share.
Open the canvas:Load the tool in your browser. The canvas is ready immediately with grid and basic tools.
Draw shapes:Select a shape from the toolbar or use the rectangle, diamond, and arrow tools. Click and drag to create.
Add text:Click the text tool and place a text box. Type labels, titles, or descriptions for your diagram.
Connect elements:Use the arrow tool to link shapes. Connectors stay attached when you move elements.
Customize:Change colors, strokes, and fills. Use libraries to add icons or custom elements.
Export or share:Export as PNG or SVG. Use the share option to create a link for collaboration.
Tips for Better Diagrams
Use these practices to get more from Excalidraw.
Use the grid:Enable the grid for consistent alignment. Elements snap to grid by default for cleaner layouts.
Group related elements:Select multiple shapes and group them. Move and resize as one unit for faster edits.
Leverage libraries:Add libraries for charts, icons, and recurring elements. Saves time on repeated visuals.
Keep it simple:Low-fidelity works best. Focus on structure and flow rather than decoration.
Use consistent colors:Assign colors by meaning (e.g., green for success, red for errors) to improve readability.
Export at the right size:For PNG, choose a resolution that matches your target (e.g., 2x for retina). For SVG, scale as needed.
Great For
Excalidraw fits into many workflows, from quick sketches to structured diagrams.
Product Teams:Wireframes, user flows, and feature diagrams. Communicate ideas quickly without heavy design tools.
Developers:Architecture diagrams, data flows, and sequence sketches. Document systems visually.
Educators:Explainer diagrams and concept maps. The hand-drawn style keeps content approachable.
Designers:Quick concept sketches, layout drafts, and client-facing ideas. Low-fidelity, high clarity.
Meeting Facilitation:Live sketching during discussions. Capture ideas as they emerge without switching tools.
Students:Notes, mind maps, and project outlines. Free and browser-based, with no installation needed.
Why Use Excalidraw?
Excalidraw focuses on speed, simplicity, and shareability.
No Signup:Start drawing immediately. No account or login required. Reduces friction for quick sessions.
Runs in the Browser:No installation or updates. Works on any device with a modern browser. Access from anywhere.
Open Source:Transparent, community-driven project. You can self-host or contribute to the codebase.
Privacy First:Data stays in your browser. Nothing is stored on servers unless you explicitly save or share.
Easy Sharing:Generate links to share. Collaborate in real time or send a static export for feedback.
Lightweight:Fast load times and responsive interactions. Works smoothly even on modest hardware.