Install Photoshop Brushes: Downloading and Importing

Get new packs for your brush library

Written by Kyle Smith

Last Updated: February 3, 2023

Downloading New Brushes

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Adding New Brushes to Photoshop

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Video

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Tips

Want to add new brushes to Photoshop? It’s easy! Download a brush pack online, then import it to Photoshop. Brushes are a versatile tool that can be used for basic sketching, digital painting, and more. This wikiHow guide will show you how to quickly install Photoshop brushes.

Things You Should Know

Download a brush pack from a reputable source.
Brush packs are typically a .zip folder with a .abr file inside.
To add the brush pack, go to Window > Brushes > hamburger menu > Import Brushes.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Downloading New Brushes

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Search for "Photoshop Brush Packs" online. There are hundreds of options, from painting sets to textured brushes. Photoshop has a ton of tools, but the brush is a go-to for many Photoshop users. A few trustworthy sites for brush packs include:^{[1]
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- DeviantArt
- Creative Market
- Design Cuts
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Download the ZIP file. Most brushes will come as ZIP files, compressed folders that hold the brushes data. When you find one you like, download it to your computer.^{[2]
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- If you want to find the brushes again after downloading, click and drag the zip file to your desktop. This will make them easier to find later.
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Open the ZIP file. You'll need a ZIP extractor program if you don't have one — but, Windows and Mac computers typically have built-in extractor tools.
- On Windows, right-click the ZIP file and select Extract.
- On Mac, double-click on the ZIP file to open it.
- If your version of Windows doesn’t have built-in extraction, try a common third-party program like 7ZIP, ZIP Archive, or WinRAR.
- If you can't find the ZIP file, check your Downloads folder.
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Make sure there’s a .abr file in the folder. This is a Photoshop Brush file. There will be several files in your folder, but the .abr file is necessary. If you don't see a .abr file, erase the whole folder and look for a new brush set.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Adding New Brushes to Photoshop

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Go to Window in the menu bar. Then select Brushes to open the Brushes panel.^{[3]
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Click the more options menu button. It’s the hamburger icon (a few horizontal lines) in the top-right of the Brushes panel.
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Select Import Brushes.
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Click on the .abr file to select it. Then, click Open. This will install the brush pack on Photoshop. You’re ready to start brushing!
- For more Photoshop tips, check out our guides on flipping an image and resizing an image.
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Alternatively, click and drag the brushes into the Photoshop window. This will add them to your library. Photoshop will automatically organize the brushes.
- This might not work in some versions of Photoshop.