What is Excalidraw? Complete Guide to the Free Online Whiteboard
Excalidraw is a free, open-source virtual whiteboard for creating hand-drawn style diagrams, sketches, and wireframes. This guide covers everything you need to know: features, use cases, and how to record your drawings to video.
1. What is Excalidraw?
Excalidraw is a virtual whiteboard tool that lets you create diagrams, sketches, and illustrations with a distinctive hand-drawn aesthetic. Launched in 2020, it has become one of the most popular free diagramming tools with over 50,000 GitHub stars and millions of users worldwide.
Unlike traditional diagramming software like Microsoft Visio or Lucidchart, Excalidraw embraces imperfection. Every line, shape, and arrow has a slightly rough, sketched quality that makes diagrams feel more approachable and human.
Key Facts About Excalidraw
- 100% Free: No subscription, no premium tier, no hidden costs
- Open Source: MIT licensed, source code available on GitHub
- Browser-Based: Works in any modern browser, no installation required
- Privacy-Focused: Data stored locally in your browser by default
- Offline Capable: Progressive Web App works without internet
- Collaborative: Real-time collaboration with live cursors
Official Source
Access the official Excalidraw at excalidraw.com. The source code is available at github.com/excalidraw/excalidraw.
2. Key Features
Excalidraw combines simplicity with powerful features that make it suitable for both quick sketches and detailed diagrams.
Hand-Drawn Style
Unique sketched aesthetic that makes diagrams feel approachable and creative.
Real-Time Collaboration
Share a link and collaborate with team members with live cursor tracking.
Multiple Export Formats
Export to PNG, SVG, or share via link. Copy to clipboard for quick sharing.
Shape Libraries
Built-in libraries for flowcharts, UML, network diagrams, and more.
Offline Support (PWA)
Install as a Progressive Web App and use without internet connection.
End-to-End Encryption
Collaboration rooms use end-to-end encryption for security.
Drawing Tools
Excalidraw provides all essential drawing tools:
- Selection Tool: Select, move, resize, and rotate objects
- Rectangle & Diamond: Basic shapes with hand-drawn style
- Ellipse: Circles and ovals
- Arrow & Line: Connect elements with arrows and lines
- Freehand Draw: Sketch freely with pen tool
- Text: Add labels and annotations
- Image: Import images into your canvas
- Eraser: Remove unwanted elements
Pro Tip
Use keyboard shortcuts for faster drawing. Press R for rectangle, D for diamond, O for ellipse, A for arrow.
3. Common Use Cases
Excalidraw is versatile enough for many professional and creative applications:
Educational Content
Create visual explanations, tutorials, and learning materials. The hand-drawn style makes complex topics more approachable for students.
Software Architecture Diagrams
Document system architecture, data flows, and API designs. Popular among developers for its simplicity.
Wireframes & Mockups
Quick UI/UX wireframes and prototype sketches. The rough style is perfect for early-stage design discussions.
Remote Team Collaboration
Brainstorm, plan sprints, and collaborate on ideas with distributed teams in real-time.
Business Process Flows
Create flowcharts, decision trees, and process documentation with ease.
4. How to Use Excalidraw
Getting started with Excalidraw is straightforward:
Step 1: Open Excalidraw
Navigate to excalidraw.com. The application loads instantly in your browser with a blank canvas ready for use. No account creation or sign-in required.
Step 2: Draw Your First Shape
Select a shape tool from the toolbar on the left side (or use keyboard shortcuts). Click and drag on the canvas to create your shape. The hand-drawn style is applied automatically.
Step 3: Add Text and Connections
Use the text tool (press T) to add labels. Connect shapes using the arrow tool (A) by clicking and dragging from one shape to another.
Step 4: Customize and Style
Select elements to change their color, stroke width, fill style, and more using the properties panel. You can also adjust the roughness of the hand-drawn effect.
Step 5: Save or Export
Your work is automatically saved to your browser's local storage. Use the menu to export as PNG, SVG, or save to a file. You can also create a shareable link for collaboration.
Saving Your Work
Excalidraw auto-saves to your browser's local storage. For long-term storage, export your drawings as .excalidraw files or save to cloud storage.
5. How to Record Excalidraw Drawings
Many users want to record their Excalidraw drawing process to create tutorial videos, presentations, or share their creative process. However, Excalidraw does not have built-in video recording capabilities.
Limitations of Standard Excalidraw
- No built-in screen recording
- No webcam overlay option
- No voice narration support
- No video export functionality
Alternative: Screen Recording Software
If you prefer using the standard Excalidraw, you can use screen recording software like OBS, Loom, or built-in OS screen recorders. However, this approach has some drawbacks:
| Feature | Screen Recorder | Poindeo |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated recording | External app required | Built-in |
| Recording area selection | Manual cropping | Drag to select |
| Webcam overlay | Available | Available |
| Mouse highlight effects | Requires setup | Built-in |
| Custom backgrounds | Not available | Available |
| All-in-one workflow | Multiple apps | Single app |
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Is Excalidraw completely free?
Yes, Excalidraw is 100% free and open-source under the MIT license. You can use it without any fees, and there are no premium features or subscriptions. The source code is available on GitHub for anyone to use or modify.
Do I need to create an account?
No account is required to use Excalidraw. Simply visit excalidraw.com and start drawing immediately. Your drawings are saved locally in your browser's storage.
Can I use Excalidraw offline?
Yes, Excalidraw is a Progressive Web App (PWA) that works offline. Once you've loaded the app, you can continue drawing without an internet connection. You can also install it as a standalone application on your device.
How do I collaborate with others?
Click the "Live collaboration" button in the top toolbar to create a collaborative session. Share the generated link with your team members, and everyone can draw together in real-time with live cursor tracking.
Can I record my Excalidraw drawings?
Standard Excalidraw doesn't have built-in recording, but you can use Poindeo's enhanced Excalidraw which includes video recording, webcam overlay, and voice narration. Alternatively, use screen recording software like OBS or Loom.
What export formats are supported?
Excalidraw supports exporting to PNG (image), SVG (vector graphics), and the native .excalidraw format (JSON). You can also copy drawings to clipboard or share via a link.
Is my data private?
By default, all data is stored locally in your browser. Collaborative sessions use end-to-end encryption. Excalidraw does not store your drawings on external servers unless you explicitly choose to save to cloud storage.