Canva Secret Codes: The Full List of Brand Codes, Shortcuts, and Search Tricks That Work

Quick Answer: Canva secret codes are special search phrases, creator brand IDs, and keyboard shortcuts that surface content inside Canva that most users never find through regular browsing. The four main types are brand codes (such as brand:BADeGZOX6Sc), the @ symbol creator search, search phrases, and keyboard shortcuts. All four methods work on both Canva Free and Canva Pro, though most brand code elements require a Pro subscription to use in a published design.

Have you ever typed something into Canva’s search bar, scrolled through page after page of results, and still not found what you were looking for?

It happens to nearly everyone who uses Canva. And the reason is not that the elements are missing. They are there. The problem is that Canva’s standard search bar does not surface everything in the library. A huge portion of the content sits just out of reach, invisible to anyone who does not know the right search phrases.

That is exactly what Canva secret codes fix.

This article covers every type of Canva secret code, how to use each one step by step, and how to find new ones entirely on your own. No design experience needed.

What Are Canva Secret Codes?

Canva secret codes are unofficial search methods used by designers to find specific elements, creator collections, and design shortcuts inside Canva’s platform. The phrase was coined by the online design community, not by Canva itself.

Canva is a cloud-based graphic design platform founded in 2013 and used by over 170 million people worldwide. It gives users access to millions of graphics, photos, templates, icons, and other design elements. But the sheer size of that library is also the problem. A lot of great content gets buried under generic search results. Secret codes are how designers get past that barrier and find exactly what they need.

There are four types of Canva secret codes, and each one works differently:

1. Brand codes — Unique creator IDs that show every element published by one specific Canva designer
2. The @ symbol method — A faster way to search for a creator by name instead of by ID
3.  Search codes — Specific search phrases that pull up hidden style categories
4. Keyboard shortcuts — Key combinations that cut down the time spent on repetitive design tasks

Used together, these four methods change the way you work in Canva completely.

What Is a Canva Brand Code and How Does It Work?

A Canva brand code is a unique alphanumeric string assigned to every designer who contributes elements to Canva’s library. Typing a brand code into the Elements search bar displays every item that creator has ever published on the platform, all in one browsable collection.

Brand codes follow a simple format: brand: followed by the creator’s unique ID.

Example: brand:BADeGZOX6Sc

That code belongs to Sketchify, one of the most widely used element creators on Canva, known for bold icons, cutout-style graphics, and background elements. Type that code into the Elements search bar and Canva returns Sketchify’s entire published library in one place.

The reason designers rely on brand codes comes down to visual consistency. When every element in a design comes from the same creator, the line weights, color tones, and illustration style naturally match. That consistency is what separates a design that looks polished from one that looks patched together from random sources.

How Do You Use a Canva Brand Code?

To use a Canva brand code, open any project in Canva, go to the Elements tab in the left sidebar, click the search bar, type the full brand code exactly as written, and press Enter. Canva will display all elements published by that creator.

Full step-by-step process:

1. Open any project in Canva
2. Click “Elements” in the left sidebar
3. Click on the Elements search bar at the top
4. Type the full brand code, for example: brand:BADeGZOX6Sc
5. Press Enter
6. Browse every element published by that creator

One important note: brand codes are case-sensitive. The prefix “brand:” must be typed in lowercase, and every character in the ID must match exactly. One wrong letter or capitalization error will return zero results.

You can also filter results within a brand code by adding a search after the ID. For example, brand:BADeGZOX6Sc floral returns only the floral-themed elements from that creator’s library. This is useful when a creator has thousands of elements and you want a specific style category within their work.

What Are the Best Canva Brand Codes to Use Right Now?

The most popular Canva brand codes come from a set of well-known element creators on the platform. Each creator has a distinct visual style that makes their work recognizable and easy to match across a design.

For free plan users: Most elements from these creators require Canva Pro. A small crown icon on any element thumbnail means it is Pro-only. On the free plan, you can browse and preview all elements freely, but you will need to upgrade before using a Pro element in a published design.

What Is the Canva @ Symbol Search Method?

The Canva @ symbol method is a faster way to search for a creator’s element collection by typing their username rather than their brand code ID. In the Elements search bar, typing @ followed by a creator’s name returns that creator’s published library directly.

Example: @sketchify

Canva returns Sketchify’s element collection the same way a brand code does, but without needing to look up or remember the full ID string. This method works well when you already know a creator’s name and want to get to their work quickly.

Creators you can search for using the @ method include:

• @sketchify
• @deadframes
• @wannafang

This approach is especially useful on the Canva mobile app, where typing a long brand code string is awkward. It is also a good method when you come across a new creator through someone else’s design and want to browse more of their work right away.

What Are Canva Search Codes and How Do They Work?

Canva search codes are specific search phrases that surface groups of elements not easily found through general searches. They work because Canva’s search engine indexes creator-applied tags and metadata that do not appear in the standard autocomplete suggestions.

The difference between a search code and a regular search is specificity. Searching “watercolor” returns thousands of loosely related results. Searching “watercolor botanical” targets a much narrower tagged category that specific creators use when uploading their work. The more specific the phrase, the more curated the results tend to be.

Here are the most useful search codes organized by visual style:

Floral and Nature Elements

• pressed flower
• watercolor botanical
• organic floral
• hand painted leaf
• wildflower illustration

Boho and Earthy Vibes

• boho neutral
• earthy tone illustration
• terracotta abstract
• macrame texture
• desert landscape minimal

Paper and Scrapbook Style

• paper texture overlay
• collage cutout
• scrapbook sticker
• torn paper edge
• vintage paper stamp

Aesthetic and Trendy

• canvaminimalistpatterns
• canvapsychedelicslogans
• canvaretropatterns
• canvacartoonydiversity
• canvapsychedeliczodiac

3D and Modern

• 3D object icon
• glass morphism
• clay render
• inflated shape pastel
• gradient blob abstract

Bold and Colorful

• neon doodle
• groovy retro bold
• pop art sticker
• Y2K aesthetic graphic
• bright brush stroke

After typing any of these into the Elements search bar, switch between the “Graphics,” “Photos,” and “All” tabs. The same search phrase returns very different content depending on which tab is active. Testing all three is worth the extra few seconds.

What Are the Most Useful Canva Keyboard Shortcuts?

Canva keyboard shortcuts are key combinations that trigger specific design actions without using menus. They are the fastest way to work inside Canva, cutting down time spent on repetitive tasks like duplicating elements, grouping layers, undoing mistakes, and moving between pages.

The forward slash shortcut is the one most Canva users never know about. Press “/” anywhere on your canvas and a floating search bar appears. From there you can find elements, templates, photos, and design tools without leaving your current project. It is a small shortcut that adds up to a lot of saved time across longer design sessions.

Canva occasionally adds new shortcuts as the platform grows. For an always-current reference, the full list of supported shortcuts is maintained on Canva’s official help center.

How Do You Find Canva Brand Codes on Your Own?

You can find any Canva brand code directly inside the platform, without relying on a published list. The method works on any element in Canva’s library and takes less than a minute.

Step 1: Open any Canva project and go to the Elements tab in the left sidebar.

Step 2: Search for any style of element you are interested in. For example, “floral wreath,” “abstract shape,” or “retro badge.”

Step 3: When you find an element you like, hover your mouse over its thumbnail. A small three-dot icon will appear in the top right corner of the thumbnail.

Step 4: Click the three dots. A short menu will appear showing the creator’s name at the top along with a few options.

Step 5: Click “View more by [Creator Name].” Canva will open that creator’s full element collection, and their brand code will appear automatically in the Elements search bar.

Step 6: Copy the brand code from the search bar. Save it in a notes app, a text file, or a dedicated Canva design you keep as a personal reference sheet.

This process works for any creator in Canva’s library. You are not limited to lists that others have published online. Any designer whose work you come across, in any style category, has a brand code you can find this way.

The same three-dot menu also has a “See more like this” option. Clicking that tells Canva to surface elements with a similar visual style, either from the same creator or from other designers on the platform. It is one of the better ways to come across new creators whose work fits your style.

How Do You Save and Organize Canva Brand Codes?

Canva does not have a native feature for storing brand codes, so the most reliable approach is to build a simple reference system outside the app.

Four methods that work well:

Option 1: A dedicated Canva cheat sheet design. Create a blank Canva design and use it solely for storing codes. Add a text box for each creator’s name with their brand code beside it. Keep this design pinned or favorited for quick access whenever you are working on a new project.

Option 2: Star individual elements. Hover over any element, click the three-dot menu, and select the star icon to add it to your Canva favorites. This does not save the brand code itself, but it keeps specific elements easy to return to later.

Option 3: Canva folders (Pro plan only). Canva Pro users can create unlimited folders inside the platform. A folder labeled “Saved Elements” or “Favorite Creators” works well for keeping frequently used content in one accessible place.

Option 4: A plain text or notes file. A simple list in Google Docs, Apple Notes, Notion, or any basic text app is fast and reliable. Paste each code next to a short description of the creator’s style so you can remember which code belongs to which creator at a glance.

Can You Use Canva Secret Codes on the Free Plan?

Yes, all four types of Canva secret codes work on the free plan. The limitation is not the codes themselves but the elements they surface. Most elements found through brand codes require Canva Pro to include in a published design.

Here is how each code type works across both plans:

Brand codes on Canva Free: You can type any brand code and browse the full results. Elements with a crown icon require Pro. Elements without a crown are free to use in any design.

Search codes on Canva Free: searches return a mix of free and Pro elements side by side. Use the “Free” filter inside the search results to show only elements available without a subscription.

Keyboard shortcuts on Canva Free: Every keyboard shortcut in this article works on Canva Free with no restrictions tied to the plan.

The @ symbol method on Canva Free: Searching by creator name works on both plans. Browse any creator’s full library and filter for free elements exactly the same way you would with a brand code search.

If you design frequently and keep hitting the Pro wall, a Canva Pro subscription is worth looking into. The gap between what is available on the free plan and what is available on Pro is significant, both in quantity and in the range of styles on offer.

What Mistakes Do People Make When Using Canva Brand Codes?

The four most common mistakes with Canva brand codes are typing errors, searching in the wrong location, using outdated codes, and limiting yourself to a single creator.

Typing the code incorrectly. Brand codes are case-sensitive. The “brand:” prefix must be lowercase, and every character in the ID must match exactly. A single wrong character, including a missed capital letter, returns no results at all.

Searching in the wrong search bar. Brand codes and search codes must go into the Elements search bar specifically, found in the left sidebar after clicking “Elements.” Typing a code into the general search bar at the top of the Canva homepage returns different content and will not show the same results.

Using codes that have stopped working. Canva updates its search system from time to time. If a brand code returns no results, the creator may have changed their ID, or the platform may have updated how it processes brand searches. The @ symbol method is a reliable fallback in that case.

Using only one creator. Sticking to a single creator’s library limits your options over time. Mixing elements from two or three creators with complementary styles tends to produce more interesting results while still keeping a consistent look. The key is choosing creators whose line weights and color approaches are close enough that their elements feel like they belong together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Canva secret codes really secret?

No. Canva does not publish an official list of brand codes, which makes them feel like insider knowledge. But they are not hidden on purpose. Any user can find a creator’s brand code by hovering over any element and clicking the three-dot icon in the thumbnail corner. The phrase “secret codes” reflects the fact that most people do not know these search methods exist, not that Canva has intentionally locked them away.

Do Canva secret codes work on the mobile app?

Brand codes and searches work on the Canva mobile app the same way they do on the desktop version. Keyboard shortcuts do not apply on mobile since there is no physical keyboard. If you pair a Bluetooth keyboard with a phone or tablet, some shortcuts may function depending on the device and operating system.

Can elements found through brand codes be used for commercial projects?

Yes, in most cases. Canva’s content license permits commercial use of elements when they are incorporated into a finished design, rather than being resold as standalone graphics. If you are creating products for sale, such as printables, merchandise, or client deliverables, reading Canva’s official content license agreement is the safest way to confirm what is permitted for your specific situation.

How many Canva brand codes are there?

There is no published count. Every creator who has contributed elements to Canva’s library has a unique brand code, and Canva has thousands of active contributors. The codes listed in this article are among the most widely used by the design community, but they represent a small portion of what exists across the full platform.

What is the difference between a Canva brand code and a search code?

A brand code filters the entire Canva library down to one specific creator’s work. A search code searches across all creators and returns elements tagged with that specific phrase. Brand codes are better when you want visual consistency from a single source. Search codes are better when you want variety across multiple creators within a particular style or theme.

Does Canva publish an official list of brand codes?

No. Canva does not officially document brand codes or maintain a public directory of creator IDs. The codes in this article were sourced by the design community using the three-dot element menu described in the “How to Find Your Own Brand Codes” section above. Because Canva does not endorse or maintain these codes, individual codes can occasionally stop working when the platform makes changes to its search system.

Can you use Canva brand codes to find free elements only?

Yes. After entering a brand code into the Elements search bar, use the filter options in the results panel to select “Free.” This limits the display to elements from that creator that are available without a Pro subscription. Keep in mind that many popular creators publish primarily Pro-tier content, so the free selection within any given brand code may be limited.

The Takeaway

Canva has far more inside it than most people ever get to see. The four types of codes covered here, brand codes, the @ symbol search, keyword phrases, and keyboard shortcuts, are all sitting right inside the platform waiting to be used.

The simplest place to start is to pick one brand code from the table above and try it in your next project. Notice how different it feels to browse a single creator’s curated library instead of scrolling through thousands of mixed, unrelated results.

Then, the next time you find an element you love during a design session, use the three-dot menu to pull its brand code. Do that a few times and you will end up with your own personal list of go-to creators that fits your style perfectly.

That is how a 20-minute search becomes a 2-minute one.

Harris K.

Harris loves digging into software to find what others miss. He has a real passion for sharing Tricks and Hidden Features that simplify your digital life. He writes these guides to help you get more done with less effort.