---
title: "Make a line draw itself"
description: "Animate a stroked path from its first point to its last with trim paths."
canonical: "https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/how-to/make-a-line-draw-itself/"
last_updated: 2026-10-29
---

# Make a line draw itself

Animate a stroked path from its first point to its last with trim paths.

1. Press `⇧P` to choose the pen.
2. Click on the stage to place the first point. A new path starts.
3. Drag at a second position to add a smooth point. Its handles bend the line.
4. Press `enter` to finish the open path. It has a stroke and no fill.
5. Press `0` to return to the first frame.
6. Choose **Draw the stroke on** in the palette (`:`). **Trim paths** gains **Start**, **End** and
   **Offset** rows; **End** has keys from 0 to 100% over the layer's time.
7. Press `space`. The line grows along the path.

![A blue stroke halfway through drawing itself](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/assets/shots/draw-stroke-halfway.png)

Next, [shape the timing of its keys](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/animating.md). For a line that changes width along its
length, see [Variable strokes](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/layers/appearance.md#variable-strokes).

Watch: [Strokes that draw on](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/strokes-draw-on/).