Canva does have spell check, but it works differently depending on which version you use

Canva's built-in spell checker catches misspelled words as you type them in, flagging them with a red underline beneath the word. If you are using Canva on the web or the desktop app, this feature is turned on by default — you do not have to enable it. The mobile app (iOS and Android) also has spell check, though the red underline may be less visible on smaller screens.

The spell checker catches common typos and words that are not in Canva's dictionary, but it does not catch grammar mistakes, missing words, or words that are spelled correctly but used in the wrong context. For example, it will flag "recieve" but not "their" when you meant "there". This is a limitation you should know about before you publish anything important.

Key Takeaways

  • Canva's spell checker shows red underlines under misspelled words as you type, and it works on web, desktop, and mobile versions.
  • Right-clicking a flagged word shows you correction suggestions that you can accept with one click.
  • The spell checker only catches spelling errors, not grammar mistakes or words used in the wrong context.
  • You can add words to Canva's dictionary if you use specialized terms or proper nouns that the checker keeps flagging.

How to fix a misspelled word in Canva

When you see a red underline beneath a word, right-click on it (or long-press on mobile). A menu will appear with suggested corrections at the top. Click the suggestion you want, and Canva replaces the word instantly. If none of the suggestions are correct, you can click elsewhere to close the menu and type the correction yourself.

If you are using the mobile app and the red underline is hard to see, tap into the text box and look for any words with a red line beneath them. The process is the same: tap the word, and suggestions appear. On smaller screens, you may need to zoom in on your text to spot the underlines clearly.

Adding words to your personal dictionary

If Canva keeps flagging a word that is spelled correctly — a company name, a person's name, or a specialized term — you can add it to your personal dictionary so it stops appearing as an error. Right-click the word and select "Add to Dictionary" from the menu. Canva will remember this word for all future designs you create in that account.

This is useful if you work with industry jargon, brand names, or proper nouns that the standard dictionary does not include. Once you add a word, the red underline disappears and stays gone across all your projects.

What spell check does not catch in Canva

Canva's spell checker is designed only to catch misspelled words. It will not flag grammar problems like subject-verb disagreement, missing punctuation, or words used in the wrong context. If you write "The team are going to the meeting" instead of "The team is going to the meeting," Canva will not mark it as an error.

For these kinds of mistakes, you need to read through your text yourself or use a separate grammar tool. Many people copy their Canva text into a tool like Grammarly or Microsoft Word, which catch grammar and style issues that Canva's spell checker misses. After you fix those problems, you can paste the corrected text back into Canva.

Spell check settings and limitations

Canva's spell check runs automatically and you cannot turn it off within the app itself. If you find the red underlines distracting, your only option is to ignore them while you work and review the text yourself before publishing. The spell checker uses a standard English dictionary, so it may not recognize words from other languages or very new slang terms.

If you are designing in a language other than English, Canva's spell checker may not work as expected. The app is primarily built for English, and language support for spell checking varies. Check Canva's current language settings if you are working in another language and the spell checker seems inactive.

Best practices for catching errors before you publish

Even with spell check enabled, mistakes slip through. Before you publish or download a design, read all the text out loud — this catches errors that your eyes skip over. Pay special attention to headlines, calls to action, and any text that appears in large type, since these are the most visible to your audience.

If you are designing something important like a business card, poster, or social media post, ask someone else to read it. A second set of eyes catches mistakes that the original writer misses. You can also take a break between writing and reviewing — stepping away for even 15 minutes helps you spot errors you would otherwise overlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Canva underlining a word that is spelled correctly?

Canva's dictionary does not include every word, especially proper nouns, brand names, and specialized terms. If the word is correct, right-click it and select "Add to Dictionary" so Canva stops flagging it. This is common with names and industry-specific vocabulary.

Can I use Canva's spell check in languages other than English?

Canva's spell checker is primarily built for English. If you are designing in another language, the spell check may not work or may flag correct words as errors. You may need to use a separate tool or rely on manual review for non-English text.

Does Canva check spelling on text inside images or uploaded graphics?

No. Canva only checks text that you type directly into the text tool. If you upload an image with text on it or use a graphic that contains words, Canva cannot read or check that text. You need to review those manually or recreate the text using Canva's text tool.

What should I do if spell check is not working?

Try refreshing the page or closing and reopening Canva. If you are on mobile, make sure your app is updated to the latest version. If spell check still does not appear, check that you are using a supported browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge on desktop) and that your account is set to English.