How to Use a Tablet as a Drawing Pad for Your PC

If you want to use a tablet as a drawing pad for your computer, you're in good company. Designers, illustrators, students, and remote workers have all discovered that a tablet can replace a dedicated graphics tablet at a fraction of the cost. Whether you own an iPad, an Android tablet, or a Windows tablet, there are reliable ways to connect it to your PC and start drawing, annotating, or sketching with a stylus. This guide walks you through every step, from choosing the right software to getting pressure sensitivity working correctly. Before diving in, check out our full roundup of the best tablets if you're still deciding which device to buy.

Why Use a Tablet as a Drawing Pad for Your Computer

Dedicated graphics tablets are purpose-built for drawing, but they can be expensive and require you to carry an extra device. Tablets you already own can perform the same role with the right apps. The touchscreen doubles as a drawing surface, the stylus gives you pressure and tilt control, and the display shows your strokes in real time — unlike a traditional Wacom pad where you draw blind.

Using a tablet as a secondary drawing input is also far more portable. You can sketch during a commute, then plug back into your workstation and continue in Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint as if you never left your desk. If you're weighing your options, our comparison of the iPad vs Android Tablet covers which platform suits creative workflows better.

What You Need Before You Start

Hardware Requirements

You don't need a high-end device to get started. The minimum requirements are modest:

• A tablet with a touchscreen (iPad, Android, or Windows tablet)
• A PC running Windows 10 or later, or macOS
• A USB cable, USB-C cable, or a stable Wi-Fi network
• The appropriate driver or companion app on both devices

Stylus Options

A finger works for rough sketches, but a stylus is essential for precision. Pressure sensitivity lets software vary stroke weight based on how hard you press — a feature that transforms digital drawing. Key stylus types include:

• Apple Pencil (1st or 2nd gen) — pairs exclusively with iPad; up to 4,096 levels of pressure
• Samsung S Pen — built into Galaxy Tab S series; excellent latency
• USI stylus — works across many Android and Chromebook tablets
• Generic capacitive stylus — cheapest option; no pressure sensitivity

How to Set Up Your Tablet as a Drawing Pad for Your Computer

The setup process differs by platform. Choose the method that matches your tablet.

iPad Method (Using Astropad or Sidecar)

1. Sidecar (Mac only): Go to System Settings → Displays → Add Display. Select your iPad. It mirrors or extends your Mac desktop. Use Apple Pencil to draw directly in any Mac app.
2. Astropad Studio (Mac and Windows): Install Astropad Studio on your iPad and the companion app on your PC. Connect via USB or Wi-Fi. The iPad screen mirrors your PC canvas with low latency.
3. Wacom's Inkspace or Spline: Alternative for annotation and vector drawing over a Wi-Fi link.

For best results over Wi-Fi, make sure both devices are on the same network. See our guide on how to connect a tablet to a Wi-Fi network if you run into trouble.

Android Method (Using Spacedesk or Wacom Inkspace)

1. Install Spacedesk (free) on your Windows PC from the official site.
2. Install the Spacedesk viewer app on your Android tablet from the Play Store.
3. Launch the server on the PC, then open the app on the tablet. It will auto-detect the PC on the same Wi-Fi network.
4. Your tablet now acts as a second screen. Open your drawing app on the PC and draw on the tablet's canvas.

For Samsung Galaxy Tab S users, the built-in S Pen works immediately without any extra pairing. If your tablet needs additional input accessories, our guide on how to add a keyboard to your tablet covers pairing Bluetooth peripherals — the same Bluetooth settings apply to stylus pairing.

Windows Tablet Method

Windows tablets like the Surface Pro are plug-and-play drawing pads. Connect them to a PC via a USB-C dock or use Remote Desktop. The Surface Pen is already recognized as a pointer device in Windows Ink. Simply open any drawing application on either device and begin.

Best Software for Drawing on a PC with a Tablet

Krita is the top free choice if you want to use your tablet as a drawing pad for your computer without spending anything. It supports most styluses natively through Windows Ink or WinTab drivers.

Tips for Getting the Most from Your Setup

Enable Windows Ink in Your Drawing App

Most drawing apps on Windows support two input APIs: WinTab (older, Wacom-native) and Windows Ink (modern, built into Windows). If pressure sensitivity isn't working, check the app's tablet settings and switch between the two. Krita and Photoshop both expose this toggle.

Reduce Latency on Wi-Fi

Wireless drawing lags more than a wired connection. To minimize it: use a 5 GHz network, place your router close to both devices, and close bandwidth-heavy background apps. USB connections are always lower-latency than Wi-Fi when precision matters.

Calibrate Your Stylus

On Windows, open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Pen & Windows Ink to calibrate the touch area. On iPad with Sidecar, calibration is automatic, but you can adjust Apple Pencil double-tap behavior in Settings → Apple Pencil.

Map the Drawing Area

If your drawing software shows the tablet canvas smaller than expected, adjust the input area mapping. In Astropad, use the zoom and pan controls. In Spacedesk, adjust the display resolution to match your PC monitor's aspect ratio for a 1:1 feel.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Stylus Pressure Not Registering

First, confirm the drawing app is set to accept stylus input rather than mouse input. In Krita, go to Settings → Configure Krita → Tablet Settings. Toggle between WinTab and Windows Ink. Restart the app after switching.

High Latency or Stuttering

Switch from Wi-Fi to USB. If using Spacedesk, lower the streaming quality in the app settings. Close other apps on the PC that may compete for CPU.

Tablet Not Detected

Ensure both devices are on the same subnet. Temporarily disable the firewall on the PC to test if it's blocking the connection. Re-install the server app if the issue persists.

Drawing Area Misaligned

If your strokes appear offset from where you tap, re-calibrate the pen in Windows Ink settings or within the drawing app's tablet preferences panel.

Frequently Asked Questions