You can circle anything in a PDF with Smallpdf’s PDF Annotator, then customize color, thickness, and size before saving your updated file.
Circles are perfect for drawing attention to dates, totals, figures, or signatures. You can place an outline around any area, keep it editable for later changes, or flatten it when you want the markup to become part of the page.
Below, we’ll show how to circle something in PDF step by step, customize it, and handle common issues.
How to Circle Something in a PDF: Step-by-Step Guide
We’ll use Smallpdf’s PDF Annotator for fast, precise circles. If you also want labels or shapes like arrows, you can jump into Edit PDF from the same workspace.
Step 1: Open PDF Annotator
Open PDF Annotator. You’ll see the upload area immediately. No installation is required, and it works on any modern device.
Step 2: Upload Your PDF
Drag and drop your file, or import it from Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Your pages load as thumbnails on the left, with the page canvas in the center.
Step 3: Choose the Circle Shape
Select Shapes, then pick the circle/ellipse option. Your cursor changes to indicate shape placement.
Step 4: Draw the Circle Around the Target
Click and drag on the page to draw a circle around the area you want to emphasize. Use corner handles to resize, and drag the shape to reposition it precisely. If the area is tight, zoom in first for easier alignment.
Step 5: Adjust Color and Thickness
With the circle selected, open the styling controls. Choose a stroke color that stands out, adjust thickness, and set fill to none for a clean outline. For presentations, a thicker line improves visibility; for dense reports, a thinner line looks tidier.
How to Circle Something in a PDF
Step 6: Add a Label if Needed
If you want a caption like “See Figure 2,” switch to Text and place a short note near the circle. You can also combine circles with arrows or highlights using Edit PDF to create a guided callout.
Step 7: Save and Share
Click Finish. Download your updated PDF or save it back to cloud storage. If you plan to distribute the file widely, test it in your preferred viewer to confirm the circle appears as expected.
How to Customize Circles in a PDF
Customizing circles keeps your markup both clear and consistent across pages.
- Colors: Use a bold color for urgent items and a neutral color for references.
- Line thickness: Increase thickness for posters or slides, keep it lighter for dense documents.
- Fill: Most circles should have no fill to avoid covering text. If you do use a fill, reduce opacity so the text remains readable.
- Copy and reuse: Duplicate a styled circle to keep formatting consistent across pages.
To remove or edit circles in a PDF, select the circle and press delete, or adjust color and size using the same controls. If you need the markups to become permanent, you can flatten annotations before sharing.
Alternative Ways to Highlight Important Content in a PDF
Circles are great, but other markups can help in different scenarios.
- Freehand ring: If you want a hand-drawn look, use the drawing options described in our guide to draw on a PDF. A quick freehand ring can be faster for messy layouts.
- Rectangle or callout: For tables or multi-line text, a rectangle around the block may read better than a circle. Add a small label with Text to explain the highlight.
- Highlight tool: If the text is selectable, highlighting may communicate intent clearly while preserving readability.
- Arrows: Combine a circle with a short arrow to point to a specific number or icon.
Troubleshooting: Problems When Adding Circles in PDFs
If your circle doesn’t look right or isn’t appearing after export, try these fixes.
1. The circle prints faint or too thick
Reduce or increase line thickness and test a single page. A mid-weight line is usually best for office printers.
2. The circle hides text
Set fill to none, or lower opacity if you need a soft tint. Keeping a pure outline is the safest way to avoid covering content.
3. The circle shifts when reopened in another app
Some viewers render annotations differently. Click Finish to re-save, then reopen in multiple readers. If you need absolute consistency, flatten the annotations so the circle becomes part of the page artwork.
4. I can’t select the circle anymore
You may be viewing a flattened copy, or you saved a version that merged annotations. Return to the original editable file, or add a new circle.
5. I need a perfect ring around a logo
Zoom in and use the corner handles for precise fitting. Place the circle slightly larger than the logo so it frames cleanly without touching edges.
6. I want to circle on a scanned PDF
You can place circles on scans just like any other file. If the scan is tilted or cramped, add the circle after you adjust the layout in Edit PDF.
FAQs
1. Can I circle something in a PDF without permanently editing it?
Yes. Circles you add in PDF Annotator remain editable until you flatten them. Keep the working copy editable, and export a flattened version when you’re done if you need it to be permanent.
2. Is it possible to circle both text and images in the same PDF?
Absolutely. Circles sit on top of the page, so you can outline text, images, stamps, or signatures.
3. Can I draw circles on a scanned PDF?
Yes. Scanned PDFs accept the same annotations. If the scan looks crooked or crowded, adjust elements in Edit PDF first, then add your circle.
4. Can I add comments inside a circle in a PDF?
Yes. Place a Text box near or inside the circle. Keep the font small and the line weight balanced so the label stays readable.
5. Will circles I add to a PDF also appear when printing?
In most cases, yes. If a viewer hides annotations during print, save the file and try again, or flatten annotations so the circles become part of the page.
6. How do I save a PDF after circling something without losing changes?
Click Finish to save the updated PDF. If you want a permanent result that looks identical in every reader, use the flattening workflow before sharing. For ongoing work, keep the editable copy so you can move or restyle circles later.
