Here is how you install brushes in Gimp, with instructions for Windows, Mac and Linux

Note: It usually does not matter if it’s a Gimp or Photoshop brush you’re going to install, both types should work, because Gimp 2.4 and up can make use of both types of brushes!

Windows | Ubuntu | Mac

Instructions for Windows

Step 1

Download the brush, then place the brush file inside your Gimp brush folder, the brush folder is usually found here:

C:\Documents and Settings\myusername\.gimp-2.6\brushes

If you can’t find that folder, see if it’s here instead:

C:\Users\myusername\.gimp-2.6\brushes

Step 2

Now click on the “Refresh Brushes” button. (On some older versions of Gimp you first have to press Shift+Ctrl+B to open the Brushes Dialog.)

That’s it, now you can select your new brush!

Zipped Brushes
Sometimes when you download file it might not be a brush file, but rather a .zip file, these files needs to be unpacked first. (usually by right-clicking on them and choosing Extract here or Unpack or something similar). Afterwards you can move the unpacked brush into the Gimp brush folder.

Instructions for Ubuntu

Step 1

Download the brush and place it inside your Gimp brush folder.
That folder is found by first opening your Home folder, then press Ctrl-H to see hidden files, find the folder .gimp-2.6/brushes

After you have put the brush file inside that folder, you can press Ctrl-H to make the files invisible again.

Step 2

Now click on the “Refresh Brushes” button. (On some older versions of Gimp you first have to press Shift+Ctrl+B to open the Brushes Dialog.)

That’s it, now you can select your new brush!

Zipped Brushes
Sometimes when you download a file it might not be a brush file (brush files end with either .abr, .gbr or .vbr), but rather a Zip file (ends with .zip), these Zip files needs to be unpacked first. To do that, right-click on the file and choose Extract here. Afterwards you can move the unpacked brush into the Gimp brush folder.

Instructions for Mac

I must admit, I don’t actually own a Mac, but from what I’ve heard, this is the way to install Gimp brushes on a Mac:

Step 1

Download the brush and place it inside your Gimp brush folder.

To find that folder, in Gimp, go to Edit->Preferences
Click on the little arrow next to Folders, and then click on Brushes.

On the right it should say where the Gimp brush folder is located.

Note:
If there are no folders listed, first create your own folder wherever you like, then inside the Gimp Preferences, add a folder by clicking the “New” button.

(the image below is from Ubuntu, but it should be about the same on Mac)

Step 2

After you’ve placed the brush inside the brush folder, click on the “Refresh Brushes” button. (On some older versions of Gimp you first have to press Shift+Ctrl+B to open the Brushes Dialog.)

(the image below is from Ubuntu, but it should be about the same on Mac)

That’s it, now you can select your new brush!

If any of our readers who use Mac know a better way or want to help us with screenshots from Mac then please let us know in the comments!