Feature Request: Expanded Pen Tool Options in Goodnotes
I would like to request an expansion of the Pen Tool options in Goodnotes, similar to the diverse pen and brush tools available in Apple Notes (iPadOS 26 Markup).

Instead of separating tools such as pen, fountain pen, brush, and pencil into completely independent categories, I propose integrating them under a unified “Pen” tool, where users can choose from multiple pen types within a single tool menu. This would greatly improve discoverability, workflow efficiency, and customization.

Below is a detailed proposal for pen tool options:

1. Handwriting to Text Pen (Scribble Pen)
Icon: Pen body with an “A” character
Function:

A pen with Apple Scribble–style handwriting recognition

Converts handwritten input into digital typed text in real time

Characteristics:

Optimized for character recognition rather than pressure sensitivity

Ideal for note-taking that requires clean, searchable text

2. Pen (Ballpoint)
Icon: Sharp pen tip with a black ring
Function:

Simulates a standard ballpoint pen

Technical Details:

Slight pressure sensitivity with limited line-width variation

Best suited for everyday writing

Works well with Smart Script–style handwriting correction features

3. Monoline Pen
Icon: Rounded, uniform pen tip
Function:

Maintains constant stroke width regardless of pressure or tilt

Use Cases:

Diagrams, charts, underlines, clean line art

Produces vector-like, crisp outlines

4. Highlighter
Icon: Thick yellow tip
Function:

Semi-transparent ink for highlighting text

Technical Details:

Multiply blending mode (color deepens when layered)

Option to render ink behind text for better readability

5. Eraser
Icon: Pink eraser tip
Modes:

Pixel Eraser: erases only touched areas

Object Eraser: removes entire strokes

Interaction:

Mode switching via double-tap

6. Lasso Tool
Icon: Dashed selection loop
Function:

Select, move, resize, recolor handwritten content

Additional Use:

Entry point for text conversion, translation, or contextual menus

7. AI Lasso Pen Tool
Icon: Gradient-colored magic wand
Function:

Combines pen drawing with lasso selection

Special Feature:

Calls AI-powered actions on the selected area (rewrite, summarize, transform, etc.)

8. Watercolor Brush
Icon: Soft brush tip with rainbow gradient body
Function:

Simulates watercolor paint

Technical Details:

Wet-mixing algorithm

Colors blend and bleed naturally when layered

9. Ruler
Icon: Rectangular ruler with measurement marks
Function:

Displays a digital ruler for precise straight lines

Interaction:

One finger to move, two fingers to rotate

10. Pencil
Icon: Wooden pencil with blue band and opacity indicator
Function:

Simulates graphite pencil texture

Technical Details:

Supports tilt shading

Vertical tilt: fine lines

Horizontal tilt: soft shading and gradients

11. Crayon
Icon: Wax crayon shape (red)
Function:

Rough wax texture

Technical Details:

Strong opacity changes with pressure

Build-up texture when layered

12. Fountain Pen
Icon: Classic metal nib
Function:

Simulates ink flow of a fountain pen

Technical Details:

Highly sensitive to pressure and tilt

Excellent for calligraphy and signatures

13. Brush Pen (Calligraphy)
Icon: Rounded brush tip, black/white body
Function:

Mimics calligraphy and traditional brush pens

Technical Details:

Softer tip than fountain pen

Smooth stroke starts and endings

Excellent curve handling

14. Marker (Felt Tip)
Icon: Gray band with felt tip
Function:

Simulates permanent marker or felt-tip pen

Difference from Monoline:

Stroke shape subtly changes with rotation and angle

Supports chisel-tip–like behavior

15. Reed Pen
Function:

Traditional reed or bamboo pen style

Characteristics:

Angular stroke edges

Expressive, historical calligraphy feel

Expected Benefits
More professional and expressive writing experience

Closer parity with Apple Notes and pro drawing apps

Reduced toolbar clutter through tool unification

Better support for artists, students, and power users

Thank you for considering this feature request. I believe expanded and unified pen options would significantly enhance Goodnotes’ usability and creative potential.

Worthwhile noting that Goodnotes now has this option though the 'chisel' is vertical and not at an angle.

I would also like that feature of calligraphy pen so that I can write like that https://terrariaapks.com/how-to-fish-in-lava-terraria/

Hello, in the attachments I have added screenshots from only one CollaNote application, in which, in addition to basic pens, calligraphy pens and a classic pencil, we also get a dozen or so decorative artistic and 3D markers. Goodnotes is great, but it lags behind the competition when it comes to markers. Please add new pens.

Please add more pens or at least calligraphy pens

Goodnotes outdoes every other note taking app and is hands down my favorite BUT I keep going back to Apple Notes because I just love how the calligraphy pen/pressure just flows and writes amazing!

Please update the pens to offer better pressure and writing. Please add better options! Please make the fountain pen to be more like Apple Notes. I just don’t feel any of the options you guys offer allow for appealing daily writing for notes and journaling.

If Apple Notes offered everything you did I would delete the Goodnotes app just alone for the pen/writing options.

with other android note-apps I can choose a calligraphy pen. I couldn't find one in Good Notes. Would like such a pen with selectable sizes (thickness, length) and that writing-pen angle follows S-Pen orientation to have a realistic use of such a hardware-pen.

Saddens me to see that 6 years later and we still don't have decent brush options. :(

More pens like calligraphy

I agree! The chisel-tip / calligraphic pen is really nice. It’s what kept me so long on Remarkable.

Hey there, I was about to write this idea but after searching among the current ideas I came across yours! Thank you for suggesting this, I have the exact problem with GoodNotes! I wish I wiiiishhhh that there was a Calligraphy pen exactly like NoteShelf one in GoodNotes, because of this pen I have half of my documents in GoodNotes and the rest in NoteShelf :(

Please add this option for pens. It would be so Classy looking!

I use samsung notes to take notes usually and I really like how my handwriting looks like with that tool. It hasn't got pressure sensitivity, but the downstrokes are thicker and the upstrokes thinner. Would be really nice to have the same catalog of pens as in samsung notes in general

It would be very nice if there could be many features added like more pen options like marker, pencil, calligraphy, etc. it would also be nice if there could be a streamline feature so that when you write, the handwriting isn’t so “jerky” or “jittery.” It would also be nice if the highlighters didn’t overlap.

Can there be a calligraphy pen option, a gel pen option that has the glitter color pallet, and a roller ballpoint pen. Also when you lasso text it shows what color the text was in and if you reside text you can spread it out horizontally or longitudinally and not both ways. Also when you try to use certain highlighter colors together the darker color will be on top even if you’re trying to have it as the shadow

Yes this

Pre-Recorded Handwriting Calligraphy Letters Shape Recognition
Pre-Recorded Hands Writing Letters Shape Recognition !

To have a Nice uniform handwriting looking clean, swell and Exactly as you want your lettres shapes to be.

It would be the possibility of combining handwriting recognition and personal writing Pre-Recording.

Be able to record the personal calligraphy of each letter (lowercase and uppercase) written by yourself.

Explanation:
I write with my Apple pencil an "A", as I would always like to see it appear on my screen when I write by hand. Once my '' A '' saved / programmed, Notability recognizes every time I write an '' A '', but instead of displaying the '' A '' of the moment, it displays the '' A '' 'pre-registered!

So, by programming each letter in advance, when I go to write my letters, my letters will always be perfectly personalized, as I programmed it!
The rendering will be uniform and conform to our preferred personal writing.

« Be able to write something and let the app recognize your handwriting and replace the actual handwriting with a pre-memorized version of your handwriting »

Try converting your handwriting to a font using websites like www.calligraphr.com, then you can install the font on your device and type with your handwriting!

Zoom Notes offers a handwriting/calligraphy pen. Step up the game and offer more pens. Give GoodNotes 5 an updo and catch up with Noteshelf and Zoom Notes pen options for hand written documents that need a style. I never use the boring pens GoodNotes 5 has to offer.

I really like GoodNotes, but with the pens and marker there is just so little to choose from. With more option, as already suggested in this post and it’s comments.
Examples:
- for the marker:
-the option to change the tip in order to have square edges and not round ones
-the option to change the coverage
- for the pen:
-a more sensitive response to the Apple pen, in order for a real experience (so ist actually like you would use a real pen), so it changes it’s changing it’s thickness
-more options for pens ( a lead pencil, a crayon, a gel pen, as much as you can up with) there was a comment that suggested to cooperate with companies, which is a great idea

Also even if you don’t can do every thing at once, which is normal, start with something an incorporate it, so we (the users) see that you are taking us serious and trying, even if it takes some time.