Create and manage short links
When you share a design or resource in Canva, a short link is created automatically. Short links make sharing cleaner and easier while keeping your existing access and privacy settings the same.
On eligible paid plans, you can also personalise and manage short links.
What is a short link?
A short link is a shortened version of a Canva share link. It’s created automatically when you share:
- A design
- A public view link
- A template link
- A comment
- A specific page in a design
- A folder
You don’t need to enable anything; short links are generated automatically.
How short links work
A short link has two parts:
The base domain
The branded part of the link, such as “canva.link.”
This shows the link is an official Canva link. In some regions, a different base domain may be used.
The slug
It’s the part that comes after the slash, such as “canva.link/abc123xyz.”
In Canva, the slug:
- Is generated automatically using a secure 15-character code
- Identifies the specific shared item
- Can be personalised on eligible paid plans
Together, the base domain and slug form your short link.
Privacy and access
Short links do not change your privacy or access settings.
- If a design is private, sharing a short link does not make it public.
- If someone doesn’t have permission to view a design, they still won’t be able to open it with a short link.
Short links follow whatever settings you choose in the Share menu (for example, only people added or Anyone with the link).
Custom short links (For Pro, Business, Enterprise)
On Canva Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans, you can personalize the slug for:
- Design copy links
- Public view links
For example, from “canva.link/abc123xyz,” you can rename it to “canva.link/my-brand-deck.” This makes your link easier to share.
Custom short links steps
For a design copy link
- Open your design.
- Select Share.
- Check and confirm the access setting you want (for example, Anyone with the link can view).
- Select Copy link, to copy the design’s short link.
- Select Personalise your link to rename your short link..
- Enter your preferred slug (for example, my-brand-deck). If the slug you chose is already taken or not allowed, you’ll be asked to choose a different one.
- Select Save and copy to save your changes and copy your new custom short link to the clipboard.
For a public view link
- Open your design.
- Select Share , then Public view link.
- Select Create public view link (if you haven’t created one yet).
- Canva will show a short link for your public view.
- Enter your preferred slug on the link field. If the slug you choose is already taken or not allowed, you’ll be asked to choose a different one.
- Select Save and copy to save your changes and copy your new custom short link to the clipboard
From the homepage / Projects – design
- On the Canva homepage, go to Projects or browse your designs.
- Find the design you want to share.
- Hover over the design thumbnail and select the More (…) icon.
- Select Share.
- In the Share panel, go to Copy link to copy the design's short link.
- On eligible paid plans, the option to personalise the short link will be available. Select Personalise your link, enter your preferred slug in the link field. Then, select Save and copy to copy the short link.
View and manage links
Users can now manage all their custom design and public links in one place.
- Go to canva.com/manage-links.
- Or, from your Canva homepage, select More.
- Select Projects.
- Select Manage Links.
If you reach your limit, delete an existing custom short link before creating a new one. If they need more custom links, advise them to upgrade their plan.
Plan limits
Plan | Custom short links limit |
Free | Not available |
Pro | Up to 5 |
Business | Up to 100 (shared across the team) |
Enterprise | Unlimited |
Deletion and plan changes
Short links can stop working in some situations:
- If a design is permanently deleted (including from trash), its short links stop working and show a 404 page.
- If you cancel a paid plan, your custom short links are removed at the end of your billing cycle.
- If you downgrade from Business to Pro and have more than 5 custom short links:
- Your existing custom short links continue to work.
- You can’t create or edit additional custom short links until you’re within the new limit.
Autogenerated short links for active designs continue to work as long as the design itself still exists.
FAQs
Why does my short link show a 404 page?
A short link may show a 404 page if:
- The design was permanently deleted
- The custom short link was deleted
- The subscription that created the custom short link ended
If the design still exists:
- Open the design in Canva.
- Select Share.
- Create a new link (for example, a design copy link or public view link).
- Select Copy to copy and share the new short link.
If you’re on an eligible paid plan, you can personalise the new link again.
If the design was deleted and can’t be restored, the original short link can’t be recovered. You’ll need to recreate the design and share a new link.
What happens to my custom short links if I delete a design?
When you delete a design that has a custom short link, the design first moves to your Trash and stays there for 30 days. During this time:
- The custom short link stops working (anyone who visits it will no longer be able to open the design).
- The custom short link is reserved for you in case you restore the design from Trash.
- The custom short link still counts towards your plan’s custom short link limit while the design is in Trash.
If you’ve reached your custom short link limit and want to free up space to create new ones, you’ll need to permanently delete designs with custom short links from your Trash (instead of just moving them there).
If you need more help, contact Canva Support.
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