To erase in Procreate, tap the Eraser tool icon in the top right toolbar, it appears as a rubber eraser between the Smudge tool and the Layers panel, then drag your finger or Apple Pencil over the area you want to remove.
How to erase in Procreate: the Eraser tool
The Eraser tool is your primary method for removing unwanted marks. The Eraser tool icon is located in the top right toolbar, appearing as a rubber eraser, positioned between the Smudge tool and the Layers panel. To activate the Eraser tool, tap its icon once. To erase, simply touch and drag your finger or Apple Pencil over the area on the canvas you wish to remove.
Choosing a brush for your eraser
Any brush available in the Brush Library can be used as an eraser; tap the Eraser icon a second time to open the Brush Library and select your desired brush. From here, you can select any brush in Procreate to use as an eraser, a textured brush creates a rough, natural edge, while a soft brush produces a smooth fade. This lets you match the eraser’s behavior to the brush you used for drawing.
Adjusting eraser size and opacity
The size of the eraser brush can be adjusted using the top slider on the left-hand sidebar. The opacity of the eraser, which controls how much pigment is removed, can be adjusted using the bottom slider on the left-hand sidebar. These two sliders give you precise control over how much and how broadly you erase.
How to undo and redo eraser strokes
If you erase too much, Procreate makes it easy to reverse your actions. To undo your last action, tap the canvas with two fingers. To rapidly undo multiple actions, tap and hold two fingers on the canvas. To redo an action you have undone, tap the canvas with three fingers. To rapidly redo multiple actions, tap and hold three fingers on the canvas. Procreate allows you to undo up to 250 actions. Undo states are cleared, and changes are permanently saved, if you return to the Gallery or exit the Procreate application.
How to clear an entire layer
To instantly remove everything on a layer, use the three-finger scrub gesture: drag three fingers side to side across the canvas in a scrubbing motion. Alternatively, open the Layers panel, tap the target layer to reveal Layer Options, and then tap “Clear.” Both methods delete all contents of that layer in one step.
Advanced erasing: layer masks and gesture controls
For non-destructive erasing, use a layer mask. Instead of permanently deleting pigment, a mask hides it, letting you restore erased areas later by painting back onto the mask with white. You can also customize how you access the Eraser tool and Clear Layer function in the Actions menu (wrench icon) > Prefs > Gesture Controls. This is part of mastering Procreate tools, layers and file management for a flexible, reversible workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many undo actions does Procreate support for erasing?
Procreate allows up to 250 undo actions. However, these are cleared if you return to the Gallery or exit the app, so save your work before leaving.
Can I change the eraser brush after I start erasing?
Yes. Double-tap the Eraser icon at any time to reopen the Brush Library and select a different brush. The new brush will apply immediately to your next eraser stroke.
How do I erase only part of a layer without affecting the rest?
Use a layer mask. Add a mask to the layer, then paint with black on the mask to hide areas. This erases non-destructively, so you can paint with white later to restore what was hidden.
What is the three-finger scrub gesture for?
The three-finger scrub gesture instantly clears the entire contents of the active layer. Drag three fingers side to side across the canvas to use it.
Why does my eraser sometimes leave a faint mark instead of fully erasing?
Your eraser opacity is set below 100%. Use the bottom slider on the left sidebar to increase opacity to 100% for a full erase, or keep it lower for partial, gradual removal.
For the wider topic, see Procreate tools, layers and file management.
