How to Install GIMP Themes

Themes can be applied to the GIMP image editor to change the look of the program. Some GIMP themes change the color of the interface, while others mimic other programs like ​Adobe Photoshop. In this guide, we show you how to extract theme files, copy the files to the GIMP installation folder, and switch to a different theme.

Extract the Theme Files

GIMP themes contain multiple files, so they're always downloaded in an archive, often a ZIP file. You have to extract the contents from the archive before you can apply the theme to GIMP.

1. Locate the archive on your computer.

   

2. Select the file, and press Extract at the top of the window. Then choose Extract All just below.

   

3. Choose where to extract the files, and then press Extract.

Copy the Theme Folder to GIMP's Installation Folder

With the GIMP theme extracted from its archive and ready to be used, it has to be copied to the correct folder within the GIMP installation directory so that the program will recognize it when it's time to select a theme.

1. Copy the folder that was extracted. For example, if the files were extracted to a folder called gimp-dark, right-click it and select Copy.

   Because of how some themes are packaged, Windows might create one folder titled the name of the theme, and another folder inside of it that goes by the same name (e.g., a gimp-dark folder inside of another folder called gimp-dark). Copy the innermost folder, the one "closest" to the files.

2. Open the GIMP themes folder. On Windows, the folder is located here: C:\Program Files\GIMP 2\share\gimp\themes\.

   On Mac, you can find it at: /Users/your-username/Library/GIMP/2.10/themes

   Linux users can find it at: ~/.config/GIMP/2.10/themes

   

3. Right-click the empty space in the folder and choose Paste.

   If Windows prompts you to provide credentials for an administrator's account, click Continue.

Switch to a Different Theme in GIMP

GIMP themes are listed in the Theme section of GIMP's preferences. It's there that you can pick any installed theme to apply to the program.

1. Select Edit in the menu bar.

2. Pick Preferences from the menu.

   

3. Choose Theme from the left panel, directly under the Interface heading.

   

4. Select the theme you want to use with GIMP.

   

   Themes populate automatically, so you can click through the list to see how each of them makes the program appear.

5. Press OK.