How to Circle Text in Microsoft Word

Circling a word or phrase in Word is handy for marking correct answers on a quiz, pointing out an error, highlighting a key term in a handout, or annotating a form. Word doesn’t have a “circle” button, but you can draw an oval with no fill around any text in about 30 seconds, or use a pen on the Draw tab for a hand-drawn look. This guide covers both methods, how to keep the circle in place when text moves, and the Enclose Characters option for single letters.

Quick Answer

Click Insert > Shapes and choose the Oval. Drag to draw it around your text, then on the Shape Format tab set Shape Fill to No Fill and pick a Shape Outline color and weight. Set Wrap Text to In Front of Text so the words underneath don’t move.

Method 1: Draw an Oval Around Text

1. Click the Insert tab.
2. Click Shapes and choose the Oval under Basic Shapes.
3. Drag on the page to draw an oval around the word or phrase. Hold Shift while dragging for a perfect circle.
4. On the Shape Format tab (it appears when the shape is selected), click Shape Fill > No Fill.
5. Click Shape Outline to choose a color, such as red, and use Weight to make the line thicker (2½ or 3 pt works well).
6. Click Wrap Text > In Front of Text.
7. Drag the shape or its handles until the circle sits neatly around the text. Press the arrow keys to nudge it; hold Ctrl while pressing arrows for finer movement.

Keep the Circle With the Text

Shapes can drift away if text above them changes. To keep the circle attached:

• With the shape selected, click the Layout Options icon beside it and choose Move with text.
• Make sure the shape is anchored to the right paragraph (drag the anchor icon to the paragraph with the circled word).
• For a circle that never moves relative to the word, put the word in a text box with an oval shape: Insert > Shapes > Oval, then right-click it and choose Add Text, type the word, and set the fill to No Fill.

Method 2: Draw a Circle by Hand

1. Click the Draw tab. If you don’t see it, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon and check Draw.
2. Pick a pen and choose a color and thickness.
3. Draw around the text with your mouse, finger or stylus.
4. Press Esc to stop drawing. Optional: use Ink to Shape before drawing to convert a rough loop into a clean oval.

Method 3: Enclose Characters (Single Letters or Numbers)

To put a circle around one character, such as a number in a list, select it and click Enclose Characters in the Font group on the Home tab (an icon with a circled letter). Choose the circle style and click OK. If you don’t see the button, your version may only show it with East Asian language options enabled; you can also insert circled numbers from Insert > Symbol > More Symbols (subset: Enclosed Alphanumerics).

Change or Remove the Circle

• Click the circle’s outline to select it, then change the color or weight from Shape Format.
• To make it look hand-drawn, choose Shape Outline > Sketched style (available in Microsoft 365).
• Press Delete to remove it.
• To circle several items, copy and paste the shape (Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V) and move each copy.

For a gentle curve instead, see how to arch words in Word.

Related: Curve or arch text in Word.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the text behind my circle hidden?

The shape still has a fill. Select it and choose Shape Fill > No Fill.

Why does my text jump when I add the circle?

The wrap setting is In Line with Text or Square. Change it to In Front of Text.

Does this work on a Mac or in Word for the web?

Yes. On a Mac, use Insert > Shapes > Oval. In Word for the web, use Insert > Drawing or the Draw tab, since shape support is more limited.

Can I circle text in a PDF made from Word?

Yes. Add the circle in Word, then save as PDF; the circle is included.

Summary

1. Insert > Shapes > Oval, and draw around the text.
2. Set Shape Fill to No Fill and choose an outline color.
3. Set Wrap Text to In Front of Text.
4. Or use the Draw tab to circle by hand.