How to Make a Triangle in Illustrator

October 05, 2020

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

In the following steps, you will learn how to make a triangle in Adobe Illustrator using three different methods.

What You'll Learn in This Adobe Illustrator Tutorial

How to make a triangle in Illustrator
How to make a 90-degree triangle in illustrator
How to make a perfect triangle in illustrator
How to make a rounded triangle in illustrator

Follow along with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

1. How to Create a New Document and Set Up a Grid

Hit Control-N to create a new document. Select Pixels from the Units drop-down menu, enter 850 in the width box and 600 in the height box, and then click More Settings. Select RGB for the Color Mode, set the Raster Effects to Screen (72 ppi), and then click Create Document.

Now that you're set, let's learn how to make a triangle in Adobe Illustrator.

2. How to Make a Triangle in Illustrator

Let's start with the most basic method. Select the Pen Tool (P) from your toolbar and create your rectangle with three simple clicks.

Holding down the Shift key while drawing the lines will create perfect straight lines, making it a lot easier to create a 90-degree angle in Illustrator.

3. How to Make a Right Triangle in Illustrator

Select the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a rectangle or a square. Hold down the Shift key while dragging to easily create a perfect square.

Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A), select one of those anchor points, and remove it using the Remove Selected Anchor Point button from the control panel.

Alternatively, you can use the Delete Anchor Point Tool (-) to simply click the anchor point that you want to be removed.

4. How to Make a Perfect Triangle in Illustrator

Select the Polygon Tool and just click on your artboard. Make sure that you enter 3 in the Sides input box, set the size of the triangle that you are about to create, and click OK.

Because the Polygon Tool is built to create shapes with equal angles at their corners, you will end up with an equilateral triangle.

5. How to Make a Rounded Triangle in Illustrator

Select your triangle using the Direct Selection Tool (A), focus on the control panel, and set the Corners radius as you wish.

Alternatively, with your triangle selected, you can go to Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Set the Radius as you wish, and click OK to apply the effect.

Congratulations!

Now you know how to create a triangle in Adobe Illustrator. I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and can apply these techniques in your future projects. Don't hesitate to share your final result in the comments section.

You can find some great sources of inspiration at GraphicRiver, with interesting solutions to improve any design.

Are You New to Illustrator?

This free beginner's course from Dan Scott will help you learn how to easily use Adobe Illustrator and discover all its secrets. Don't worry, you don't need any design or illustration skills. You'll start with the basic stuff and work your way through each topic step by step. If you’ve opened Illustrator and struggled with the multitude of options and commands, this course is for you!