How to Change Stroke Color in Inkscape

Changing the stroke (outline) color of an object in Inkscape is a fundamental skill for vector designing, achievable through multiple quick methods. This guide covers how to modify stroke colors using the bottom color palette, the dedicated Fill and Stroke dialog box, and the Color Picker tool, while also explaining how to remove a stroke entirely.

Method 1: Using the Bottom Color Palette

The fastest way to change an object’s stroke color is by using the color swatch palette located at the very bottom of the Inkscape interface.

  1. Select the object using the Select and Transform Objects tool (shortcut: S or F1).
  2. Look at the color palette at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard.
  4. Left-click on the color you want to apply.

Note: Left-clicking without holding Shift will change the fill color (the inside) of the object instead of the stroke.

Method 2: Using the Fill and Stroke Dialog

For precise color adjustments, opacity control, and advanced color hex codes, the Fill and Stroke menu is the best option.

  1. Select your object.
  2. Open the menu by navigating to Object > Fill and Stroke, or use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F (Cmd + Shift + F on Mac).
  3. In the panel that appears on the right side of the screen, click on the Stroke paint tab.
  4. Click the Flat color button (the solid square next to the “X”).
  5. Use the color wheel, CMS, RGB, or Wheel tabs to choose your desired color, or type a specific Hex code into the RGBA field.

Method 3: Using the Dropper (Color Picker) Tool

If you want to match the stroke color to an existing color already present on your canvas, use the Dropper tool.

  1. Select the object whose stroke color you want to change.
  2. Switch to the Dropper tool by clicking its icon in the left toolbar or pressing D.
  3. Hold down the Shift key.
  4. Click on the color anywhere on your canvas that you wish to sample. The selected object’s outline will instantly update to that color.

How to Remove a Stroke Color

If you decide you no longer want an outline on your object, you can remove it completely using a similar Shift-click technique.