GoodNotes has quickly become one of the most popular apps for digital note-taking, journaling, and planning. With its intuitive design and easy-to-use tools, it’s a favorite among students, professionals, and creatives alike. But while it’s loaded with features, one question continues to pop up: “How do you make a dotted line in GoodNotes?”
Even though GoodNotes doesn’t offer a direct “dotted line” tool, there are several clever ways to get the look—and even elevate it to professional quality. Whether you’re designing a planner, organizing notes, or creating digital artwork, this guide will show you quick tips on how to make a dotted line in GoodNotes like a pro. how to make dotted line in goodnotes
Let’s dive in!
Why Use Dotted Lines in GoodNotes?
Before we explore the techniques, it’s worth understanding why dotted lines are so useful in digital note-taking:
✅ Subtle separators: Unlike solid lines, dotted lines divide content without overwhelming it.
✅ Aesthetic appeal: They give your notes a modern, minimal look.
✅ Custom planners: Perfect for creating habit trackers, task lists, and layout designs.
✅ Creative flexibility: Use them for drawing guides, journaling, and scrapbook-style designs.
Now that we know the “why,” let’s get into the “how”—with pro-level results.
Tip 1: Tap-to-Draw Manual Dotted Lines
The most basic and accessible method for creating dotted lines is using the Pen Tool.
Here’s How:
Open your notebook in GoodNotes.
Choose the Pen Tool (Ball Pen or Fountain Pen).
Select a small stroke thickness (e.g., 0.3 mm).
Gently tap to create a dot.
Move a small distance and tap again.
Repeat until you’ve created a line of evenly spaced dots.
Pro Tip:
Zoom in to maintain consistent spacing.
Use a dotted or grid background for better alignment.
When to use it: For quick dividers, section headers, or minimalist layouts.
Tip 2: Use Short Lines for Dashed Effect
While not exactly dotted, creating short dashes gives a similar visual effect—especially for checklists or boxed designs.
Steps:
Select the Pen Tool and draw a short line.
Lift your pen and repeat with even spacing.
You can enable “Snap to Shape” to keep dashes perfectly straight.
This method offers a slightly bolder look than dots and is easier to control for straight horizontal or vertical lines.
Tip 3: Leverage the Highlighter for Soft Dots
Want to give your notes a pastel aesthetic or soft dotted design? Try using the Highlighter Tool.
How to:
Select the Highlighter.
Pick a light, soft color.
Set the stroke thickness around 1.0–1.5 mm.
Tap gently in a spaced pattern to create transparent dotted lines.
This method works especially well in decorative layouts and bullet journaling.
Tip 4: Import Dotted Line PNGs or Stickers
For a fast, perfect dotted line, nothing beats a pre-made sticker or transparent PNG.
Where to Find Them:
Etsy (search “GoodNotes dotted line stickers”)
Creative Market
Free design platforms like Canva, PNGTree, or Vecteezy
Create your own in Procreate or Illustrator
How to Add Them:
Tap the Image Tool.
Import your dotted line image.
Resize and position it wherever you need.
Duplicate or rotate using the Lasso Tool if needed.
Pro Tip: Save your favorite lines into the Elements Tool for easy drag-and-drop access.
Tip 5: Use the Elements Tool Like a Pro
The Elements Tool in GoodNotes allows you to store your most-used design assets—including dotted lines.
To Save a Dotted Line:
Draw or import a dotted line.
Use the Lasso Tool to select it.
Tap “Add Element.”
Name it and store it in a custom category like “Dividers” or “Design Tools.”
Now, you can reuse your dotted lines across notebooks, planners, and projects without redrawing them every time.
Tip 6: Create a Custom Dotted Line Template
If you regularly use dotted lines, why not create your own custom template?
How to Make One:
Use Canva, Procreate, or Affinity Designer to design a layout with dotted lines.
Save the file as a PDF or PNG.
Import it into GoodNotes as a custom template or background.
Now, every time you create a new page, it comes pre-loaded with stylish dotted lines.
Tip 7: Combine with Text Boxes or Shape Tool
Want to integrate dotted lines into labels or headers?
Try this combo:
Use the Text Tool to add your header.
Draw a dotted or dashed line under it using the pen or image method.
Use the Shape Tool to create a box or underline for structure.
This combo adds a professional finish to planner pages or note headers.
Tip 8: Use Digital Paper with Built-In Dotted Guidelines
If you don’t want to draw lines at all, you can download digital paper with pre-dotted layouts.
These come in different styles:
Writing lines with dotted spacing
Grids and dots for bullet journaling
Section dividers with built-in dotted lines
You can find these on Etsy, Pinterest, or free template sites. Just import them into GoodNotes as your page background.
Bonus Tips for Pro-Level Results
✅ Maintain Consistency
Use the same size, color, and spacing across pages for a clean and cohesive look.
✅ Save Time with Lasso + Duplicate
Draw one perfect dotted line, then lasso and duplicate it across your page or layout.
✅ Use Layers Wisely
Place dotted lines behind text or images to keep things readable. You can do this by adjusting the order of imported elements.
✅ Experiment with Colors
Dotted lines don’t have to be black or gray. Use soft pastels, theme-based palettes, or contrasting colors to enhance visual hierarchy.
Final Thoughts
Creating dotted lines in GoodNotes isn’t just possible—it’s an opportunity to get creative and customize your notes like a pro. Whether you prefer to tap dots manually, use digital stickers, or build full templates, there’s a method for every style and skill level.
The key is experimenting with the tools you already have and incorporating a few clever hacks—like using the Elements Tool and importing PNGs. Once you’ve mastered these quick tips, you’ll be able to add dotted lines to your notes effortlessly and make your digital planner or notebook look polished and professional.
So go ahead, open GoodNotes and try one of these tips today—you’ll be dotted-line designing like a pro in no time.
Need more GoodNotes tutorials or want free dotted line templates? Stay tuned to our blog for more digital planning resources, layout inspiration, and app tips!