How to use your Surface Pen

Here’s how to set it up and use it.

Surface Pen diagrams

Surface Pen with no clip

Surface Pen with single button on flat edge

Surface Pen with two side buttons

Microsoft Classroom Pen

Surface Pen features

The features of your Surface Pen depend on which pen you have and the device you're using. Here's some info on the features supported by each pen and device type. In some cases, you'll need both a specific pen version and a specific device type to use a feature. 

Features by device

*Surface Pen can connect to computers running Windows 10 PCs via standard Bluetooth. Functionality, connectivity, and feature availability can vary by manufacturer.

** Surface Pro 1 and Surface Pro 2 only support inking with the Surface Pro Pen.

*** Requires a Surface firmware update. See Surface update history for more info.

Feature by pen version

Pair Surface Pen with your Surface

Surface Pen uses Bluetooth to pair with your Surface. To put your pen in pairing mode, press and hold the top button on the pen for 5-7 seconds, then let the button go. You’ll see a light on the flat side of the pen when it’s ready. For more info, see Connect a Bluetooth device.

Try out buttons and features

Once your pen is paired, here are some things to try.

Press the top button

Press to open Windows Ink Workspace

When you press the top button once, Windows Ink Workspace will open. It’s the perfect place to get started with your pen: jot down a reminder in Sticky Notes, draw a picture in Sketchpad, or doodle on a webpage, picture, or app using Screen sketch.

Press and hold to open Sticky Notes

When you press and hold the top button, Sticky Notes will open. Jot down reminders, doodle away, or note your next big idea.

Double-click to open Screen sketch

When you double-click, screen sketch will open. Draw on the current screen or resume a previous screen sketch. All sketchpad tools are here, from stencils to line width to sharing and exporting.

To change what the top button does when you press it, see Change pen settings.

Write and draw

Use your Surface Pen in any app that supports inking, like the Windows Ink Workspace, Office apps, or Microsoft Edge. When you bring your Surface Pen close to the touchscreen, a point appears on the screen, and the screen will ignore other input (like your hand or a mouse). Then write or draw on your screen like you would with a regular pen and paper.

Even if inking doesn’t work in your app, you can use your Surface Pen to enter text by using the handwriting panel in the touch keyboard.

1. Select Keyboard   in the lower-right corner of your Surface screen.

2. On the touch keyboard, select Keyboard  > Handwriting 

   
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3. Write something in the handwriting panel. Your Surface will convert your words to text automatically.

For more info, see Use the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) to type.

Use Surface Pen with apps

Surface Pen works seamlessly with apps designed for creative tasks like Adobe Photoshop Elements, Sketchable, Drawboard PDF, and Staffpad. For a list of recommended apps that you can use with your Surface pen, go to Apps for Windows Ink.

Try it with Surface Dial

For the full creative experience, use Surface Pen and Surface Dial together. With Surface Pen in one hand and Surface Dial in the other, you’ll have easy access to shortcuts, controls, drawing tools, and more while you sketch.

Customize your Surface Pen

Change pen settings

To personalize what your pen does and how it works, go to Change pen settings for more info.

Adjust pressure sensitivity

Use the Surface app to set the pressure sensitivity to suit your writing style. Get the Surface app free from the Microsoft Store. 

Change pen tips to get the experience you want

Use different tips to change your pen experience. For more info, see Replace Surface Pen Tips. 

Related topics

• Install and use the Surface app
• Using OneNote on Surface
• Troubleshoot Microsoft Surface Pen
• Replace Surface Pen Tips
• Change Surface Pen Batteries