How to Install Brushes in GIMP

Installing brushes in GIMP is just a matter of putting the right files in the right folder. GIMP looks in a specific directory for brush files when it starts up - Drop your files there and they appear in the Brushes panel. No complex installation process. Here is exactly where to find that folder and what file formats work.

Where the Brushes Folder Is

GIMP stores user brushes in a profile folder separate from the GIMP application files:

Replace 2.10 with your GIMP version number if you are on a different version. For GIMP 3.x the path uses 3.0 or 3.2 depending on your exact version.

Fastest way to find it in GIMP: Go to Edit > Preferences > Folders > Brushes. The full path of every brushes folder GIMP is watching is listed there. You can also add custom folder paths here.

Supported Brush File Formats

• .gbr - GIMP's native brush format. Grayscale or color brush stamps.
• .gih - GIMP animated brush format. Multiple brush tips that cycle as you paint.
• .abr - Photoshop brush format. GIMP can read most .abr files (see note below).
• .vbr - GIMP parametric brush format. Defines brush shape mathematically rather than as a pixel image.

The vast majority of free brushes you will find online come as .abr files (Photoshop format) or .gbr files. Both work in GIMP.

Installing Brushes Step by Step

1. Download your brush file (usually a .zip containing .gbr or .abr files). Extract the archive.
2. Navigate to the brushes folder for your OS (paths listed above).
3. Copy or move the .gbr / .abr files into that folder. You can create subfolders inside the brushes folder to organize sets - GIMP will scan all subfolders.
4. Open GIMP (or refresh if already open - see below).
5. Open the Brushes panel: Windows > Dockable Dialogs > Brushes.
6. Your new brushes will appear in the list, usually at the end or sorted alphabetically by set name.

Loading Brushes Without Restarting

You do not need to quit and reopen GIMP after adding brushes:

1. Open the Brushes panel.
2. Click the Refresh Brushes button at the bottom of the panel (the circular arrow icon).
3. New brushes appear immediately.

This works even if GIMP was already open when you copied the files in. The refresh scan takes a second or two for large brush libraries.

Installing Photoshop .abr Brushes

GIMP can read .abr files from Photoshop CS6 and earlier. Drop them in the brushes folder exactly like .gbr files and they will appear after a refresh.

Brushes from Photoshop CC 2017 and later use a newer .abr format that GIMP may not fully support - Some brushes will load, others may not appear or may look distorted. If an .abr set does not load correctly, check if the brush creator offers a .gbr version, or look for a GIMP-specific version of the same brush pack. Most popular brush creators publish both formats.

If Brushes Do Not Appear

• Confirm the file is in the correct folder (not in a Downloads folder or the wrong GIMP version folder).
• Check Edit > Preferences > Folders > Brushes to see which folders GIMP is actually scanning.
• Try the Refresh button in the Brushes panel before restarting.
• If the brush is a .abr from a new Photoshop version, it may be incompatible. Look for a .gbr alternative.
• Make sure the file is not still inside a .zip archive - Extract it first.