Short answer
For designs you will remove, use washable window markers or liquid chalk markers: makers such as edding say their window marker ink comes off glass with water and a paper towel. For longer-lasting art on glass you will not wash, use an oil-based paint marker. Keep all of them off car paint and test any marker on a corner of the glass first.
Types of window paint markers
Window marker types compared
| Type | Comes off? | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid chalk markers | Yes, with water | Shop windows, menus, car windows, parties | Can stain porous surfaces; shake well |
| Washable window markers and writers | Yes, with water | Kids’ window art, holiday scenes | Thinner lines; may need a second clean |
| Window crayons | Yes, with water | Young kids | Waxy, not crisp lettering |
| Water-based paint markers (Posca) | Yes on glass, per Posca | Detailed art you will remove later | Not weatherproof outdoors |
| Oil-based paint markers | Not easily | Long-lasting glass art and labels | Needs a scraper to remove; ventilate |
Washable window paint markers
Washable window paint markers are the right pick for anything temporary: a holiday scene, a menu board, a sale sign, a team slogan. Most are liquid chalk markers, which carry a pigment that dries matte on glass and wipes off with water. edding, for example, says its window marker ink is easy to remove from glass with water and a paper towel. Shake liquid chalk markers well and prime the tip on scrap glass or paper before you start, the same way you would a paint pen.
Paint markers for windows that should last
If the design should stay through weeks of condensation and cleaning, a paint marker is sturdier. Posca says its water-based paint can be cleaned off glass with a damp rag, which makes it good for detailed art you will remove later but not for long outdoor exposure. Oil-based paint markers hold much longer; Sharpie’s listing describes its oil-based markers for window art, with glossy marks that stand out on reflective surfaces. Expect to remove them with a glass scraper rather than a cloth.
Extra broad window paint markers and suncatcher pens
For big lettering on a shop front, a jumbo liquid chalk marker with a 10 mm or wider nib covers fast, and several sets offer a 3-in-1 nib you rotate for thin, medium and wide strokes. Suncatcher paint pens are a different product: translucent glass paints that let light through, for stained-glass style art on windows and plastic suncatchers. For opaque white lettering, an extra broad paint marker such as the Posca PC-17K (15 mm) also works on glass you plan to clean later.
Want something that wipes off with a damp cloth instead? See window chalk markers and, for boards and signs, chalk markers.
Car windows
- Use washable markers sold for glass, on the outside of the window.
- Keep sight lines clear. Never draw where it blocks the driver’s view.
- Avoid tint film and paint. Pigment can stain matte trim and rubber; wipe stray marks right away.
- Remove soon. Sun and heat make marker harder to clean over time.
Cosco window paint markers and other brands
Cosco, Crayola, edding and many liquid chalk brands sell washable window markers. We have not tested any of them and found no independent comparison, so the picks below are chosen by type, tip size and what each listing says it is for. For opaque art on glass that you will not wash, see glass paint markers; for bold white text, white paint markers.
Window paint markers on Amazon
Washable picks first. Each listing checked by hand.
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Celepen window chalk markers for cars and glass, 8 colors
Jumbo liquid chalk markers with a 10 mm 3-in-1 nib, sold as washable for car windows and glass.
View on Amazon: Celepen window chalk markers for cars and glass, 8 colors -
Bandle B. chalk markers, 8 colors
Water-based liquid chalk with reversible tips, listed for glass and chalkboards in businesses and restaurants.
View on Amazon: Bandle B. chalk markers, 8 colors -
CHALKY CROWN liquid chalk markers, 8 pack, 6 mm
A 6 mm liquid chalk set for menus and window signs.
View on Amazon: CHALKY CROWN liquid chalk markers, 8 pack, 6 mm -
Rainbow Chalk glass pen window marker, white jumbo
A single jumbo white liquid chalk pen for glass, the most visible color on windows.
View on Amazon: Rainbow Chalk glass pen window marker, white jumbo -
Crafty Dab window writers, 10 colors
Window writer paints in squeeze bottles for kids’ window art.
View on Amazon: Crafty Dab window writers, 10 colors -
Crayola washable window crayons, 5 colors
Crayola’s washable window crayons for young kids decorating glass.
View on Amazon: Crayola washable window crayons, 5 colors
Each pick links to an Amazon listing we checked by hand. Prices, colors and pack sizes change on Amazon, so check the listing before you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Questions people ask
What are the best paint marker pens?
It depends on the surface. For windows you want to clean later, washable liquid chalk or window markers. For glass art that should last, oil-based paint markers such as Sharpie oil-based or Uni PX-20. For paper, wood, rock and canvas, water-based pigment markers such as Posca scored best in independent testing.
Do paint pens work on car windows?
Washable window and liquid chalk markers are the usual choice for car windows, for game-day messages or for-sale signs, because they wipe off. Permanent paint pens also write on car glass but are hard to remove. Keep any marker off the driver’s line of sight and off tinted film.
What can I use to draw on my car windows?
Washable window markers or liquid chalk markers made for glass, several of which are sold specifically for car windows. Draw on the outside of the glass, keep the windshield clear for driving, and test a small corner first, especially on tinted or older glass.
Are window markers safe on car paint?
Do not assume so. Window markers are sold for glass, and their makers describe removal from glass, not from car paint, plastic trim or rubber seals. Pigment can stain porous or matte trim. Keep marker on the glass and wipe off any stray marks right away with water.
Are Crayola window markers good?
Crayola sells washable window markers and window crayons for kids, made to wipe off glass. We found no independent test comparing them with other window markers, so we cannot rank them. They suit kids’ window art; for bold signs on a shop or car window, a jumbo liquid chalk marker covers faster.
How do I get window marker off glass?
Most washable window marker comes off with water and a paper towel; edding says that for its window markers, with glass cleaner as an option. Older or sun-baked designs may need a second pass. Permanent paint markers need a razor scraper made for glass.