A Custom Rounded Button in Android Studio: The Classic XML Drawable (Most Versatile)

Creating a custom rounded button in Android Studio involves two main parts: defining the visual “shape” in an XML drawable file and then applying it to your button in the layout.

Here are the two best ways to do this: the Classic XML Drawable method (highly customizable) and the Material Button method (the quickest way).

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The Classic XML Drawable (Most Versatile)

This method works for any View and gives you full control over gradients, borders, and specific corner radii.

1. Create the Drawable File

Right-click your res/drawable folder → New → Drawable Resource File. Name it rounded_button_bg.xml.

XML

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:shape="rectangle">
    
    <solid android:color="#6200EE" />

    <corners android:radius="24dp" />

    <stroke
        android:width="2dp"
        android:color="#3700B3" />
</shape>

2. Apply it to your Layout XML

In your activity_main.xml, set the drawable as the background.

Note: If you are using a Material Components theme, use android.widget.Button or androidx.appcompat.widget.AppCompatButton to ensure the background drawable isn’t overridden by the theme.

XML

<Button
    android:id="@+id/myCustomButton"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:text="Rounded Button"
    android:textColor="#FFFFFF"
    android:background="@drawable/rounded_button_bg"
    android:padding="12dp" />