What is Inktober?
Inktober is a drawing challenge that runs every year from October 1 to 31. Artists make one ink drawing a day, often following an official list of 31 one-word prompts, and share them online. It was started by illustrator Jake Parker in 2009 to build better drawing habits, and it has become one of the biggest art challenges in the world.
The rules, in short
The official rules are deliberately simple:
- Make a drawing in ink (a pencil underdrawing first is fine).
- Post it online.
- Tag it #inktober and #inktober2026.
- Repeat.
You don't have to post every day: every other day or once a week is still Inktober. The prompts are optional too. See the full rules and announcements on inktober.com.
The Inktober 2026 prompt list
The 2026 list is shown above day by day: it starts with Apple, Relic, Miniature, Cactus and ends with Tusk, Cookie, Flex. Unlike 2024, which leaned into travel words (Backpack, Passport, Expedition), the 2026 words don't share a theme, which leaves lots of room for interpretation.
During October, the banner at the top shows today's official prompt based on your device's date, and the day is highlighted in the list. Before October it counts down to day 1.
Making the most of the prompts
- Sketch in September. The list is published early so you can plan. Jot two or three ideas next to each word.
- Go sideways. “Zip” could be a zipper, a speeding mouse or a zip line. “Beacon” could be a lighthouse or a friend waving a torch. The less obvious reading often makes the better drawing.
- Keep it small. A drawing a day is a lot. Small formats (a 10 cm square, a page of a pocket sketchbook) make finishing much easier.
- Pick a theme. Some artists draw every prompt with the same character, setting or style, which turns the month into a series.
- Catch up without guilt. Missed a day? Skip it, double up later, or use the randomizer to pick a prompt from an earlier year instead.
Using the randomizer
The Random prompt button draws a word from the year you pick, or from all years at once. Each list is shuffled like a deck, so you see every prompt before any repeats. It is useful for warm-ups outside October, for extra practice on days you finish early, or for replacing a prompt that doesn't inspire you.
Ink and tools
Traditional ink is the spirit of the challenge: fineliners, brush pens, dip pens or brush and bottled ink all count. Plenty of people also take part digitally with an inking brush. Whatever you use, limiting yourself to black (and maybe one grey) keeps each day's drawing quick and helps you focus on line, contrast and composition.
Past lists at a glance
- 2025 began with Mustache, Weave and Crown and ended with Vacant and Award.
- 2024 had a travel and exploration theme: Backpack, Passport, Expedition, Landmark.
- 2023 leaned toward fantasy and folklore: Dream, Castle, Dagger, Angel, Demon, Celestial.
- 2022 opened with Gargoyle, Scurry and Bat and closed with Gear and Farm.
Choose any year in the list selector to see all 31 prompts, or copy a list to paste into your notes or sketchbook planner.