Image Annotator

Draw arrows, rectangles, circles, and text annotations on screenshots and images.

Tested tool guide Tested browser tools Checked August 16, 2026

What Image Annotator does and how it behaves

When a screenshot needs to show exactly where to look, Image Annotator places explanatory marks directly over the picture. Load an image, then add arrows for a point or direction, rectangles and circles for bounded areas, and typed text for labels or instructions. The marks communicate visually; they do not identify objects or interpret the image for you. A common mistake is treating an annotation as a content edit: circling an error highlights it, but does not correct the underlying screenshot or document.

How the result is produced

Choose the right annotation

Decide what each mark must communicate before drawing it. Position an arrow when one endpoint matters, use a rectangle around a box-shaped interface region, use a circle for a compact focal area, and add text when the shape alone would be ambiguous. Combining one shape with a short label is usually clearer than placing a paragraph over the image.

Review every mark

Inspect the annotated picture at the size in which readers will see it. Check that arrowheads land on the intended detail, shapes do not cover important content, and text remains legible against the image. The image and annotations are handled entirely in the browser and are not uploaded. The markup does not change the application, document, or scene shown in the source picture.

Good uses

Pointing to the exact button, warning, or misplaced element in a software bug report screenshot.
Boxing interface controls and adding short instructions to an onboarding or support image.
Circling damage in a product photograph and labeling the area that a reviewer should inspect.

Limits and checks

An arrow can miss its intended target by a few pixels or appear to indicate a neighboring control, so inspect both its shaft and arrowhead.
Rectangles, circles, and text can cover the evidence they are meant to highlight, especially when several annotations overlap in a small area.
Arrows and outlined regions convey meaning visually. Supply the same explanation separately when the annotated image must be understood by someone using assistive technology.

Common questions

Can Image Annotator automatically find objects or interface errors?

No. Its purpose is to let you place arrows, rectangles, circles, and labels where you judge they belong. It does not establish what an object is, whether an interface state is correct, or which region deserves attention. Inspect the image yourself and place every mark deliberately, especially when nearby controls look alike.

Can I use an annotation to redact sensitive information?

No. Annotations are intended to call attention to content, not to provide a verified redaction process. Do not rely on a rectangle, circle, arrow, or text label to protect passwords, account numbers, faces, or other sensitive details. Remove or redact that material with a tool designed for the purpose before annotating or sharing the image.

References and verification

The behavioral notes were checked against the browser implementation. Standards and primary references below define the relevant format, formula, or platform behavior.