20 Best Free Microsoft Word Certificate Templates (Downloads for 2021)

To motivate your employees or students, hand them a certificate that highlights their achievement. While the idea of designing a certificate sounds daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Certificate templates for Word can help.

It's easy to create certificates when you use a program you’re already familiar with and use daily. We’re talking about Microsoft Word. 

There are hundreds of beautifully designed certificate templates for Word. Some of these templates are free to download and use. So, there’s no excuse for not celebrating your employees and students with a handy certificate.

Download the Best Premium Certificate Templates

Later in this post, we’ll showcase free Microsoft Word certificate templates that you can download and use at no extra cost. They're a good option when you’re starting out or have a limited budget to work with. 

But if you’re willing to invest in your brand presence and want a polished certificate to hand out, then a premium template will be right up your alley. 

You can find hundreds of premium Microsoft Word certificate templates over on Envato Elements. There's a compelling offer. For a single monthly fee, download unlimited templates and other design assets such as icons, fonts, brochures and more. 

Edit them how you like. Then use them in unlimited projects. 

Another marketplace premium certificate templates for Microsoft Word is GraphicRiver. Here, you can buy certificate templates individually. So, this is a great choice when you need a template quickly. 

Let’s look at a few premium Microsoft Word certificate template examples. Get these from Envato Elements and GraphicRiver. 

5 Awesome Premium Certificates on Envato Elements for 2021

Envato Elements is one of the best places to start your search for a premium certificate template. It's got hundreds of certificate templates to choose from. 

Download as many of them as you want. Customize them to your liking. And use them as many times as you need. 

Another benefit of Envato Elements is that all these and thousands of other design templates are available to you for one low monthly fee. This makes Envato Elements a perfect choice for anyone looking to create a cohesive brand identity. It's also great for designers working with clients on a regular basis, looking to save time in their design process. 

Here are five stellar certificate templates from Envato Elements: 

1. Modern Certificate - Multipurpose Word Certificate Template Design

The Modern Certificate template is a great choice if you’re looking for a modern and creative design. It features a simple and colorful geometric background. It’s easy to edit and customize to your needs. 

Edit this template in Word. Use it for training, achievement, event attendance, and more. 

2. Modern Certificate 03 - Colorful MS Word Certificate Template

This certificate template features a bright and vibrant design. Use this template for certificates of achievement or as a certificate of recognition. Open it in Microsoft Word. Then, customize colors and fonts to your liking before adding the final personal details.   

3. Modern Certificate 02 - Simple Microsoft Word Certificate Template

If you want a simple and clean certificate template, this template's a great choice. It's got an interesting two-column layout with plenty of space to include a person’s name and your official logo. The template can easily be edited using tools found in Microsoft Word. 

4. Simple Multipurpose Certificate - Minimal Certificate Template for Microsoft Word 

Here’s another simple and minimal certificate template for Microsoft Word. This template features a black and grey design. But you can customize the colors to your liking in Word. The template can be used for any type of certificate.

5. Multipurpose Certificates - Trendy Certificate Template for Word

If you choose this certificate template, you’ll get a certificate template design for Word in both landscape and portrait format. You can easily customize colors to your liking and use it for any type of certificate. 

5 More Cool Certificate Templates for Word (From GraphicRiver for 2021)

If you prefer buying certificate templates and other templates individually, then you’ll want to check out our GraphicRiver marketplace. It's got premium high-quality, cool certificate templates that you can buy one by one. This is the perfect solution if you've got a certain design in mind and know what you’re looking for. 

Check out some of our best-selling certificate templates for Microsoft Word from GraphicRiver:

1. Clean Certificate - Simple Microsoft Word Certificate Template

If you like minimal and clean design, this clean template's a perfect choice for your certificate. The template's got four color variations. It can easily be edited and customized to your liking. 

2. Certificate - Versatile Microsoft Word Certificate Template

Use this certificate template for any occasion. It's got an elegant design and comes in both landscape and portrait version for extra variety. Change the fonts to your liking and freely use your brand colors.  

3. The Certificate - Award of Excellence Certificate Template for Word

The Certificate is a perfect choice if you’re looking for an award of excellence certificate. The template has a stylish design and makes it easy to customize it. Another great thing about this template is that it comes in four color variations that you can use as is. 

4. Certificate - Multipurpose Certificate Template Design for Word

This fresh certificate template can be used for all kinds of certificate designs, from achievements to employee of the month, this template's got you covered. It comes in both landscape and portrait format as well as six color variations.  

5. Multipurpose Certificate - Elegant Certificate Template for Word

This template comes in light and dark version. So, you can easily choose which version you want to use. But, if you’re not a fan of light or dark color, customize them to your preferred colors. The template also comes in both landscape and portrait version. 

20 Top Free Online Word Certificate Templates to Download for 2021

Before looking for a free editable certificate template for Word on the web, check Envato's free offerings first. Try out various premium template files (not always MS Word certificate template free downloads) at no cost to you.

Here's the deal:

• Every month Envato Elements offers 12 different hand-selected files, (fonts, presentations, videos, and more). Create a free account to download this month's free premium files now.




• Or try Envato Market for free. They offer seven handpicked monthly freebies. Log in with your Envato Market account to get this month's handpicked premium freebies. 

If your budget is limited, a premium certificate template might be out of reach for you currently. But there's no reason to despair as there’s plenty of free certificate templates for Word that you can use to create a certificate quickly. 

Here are 20 best free online certificate templates for MS Word from around the web. 

1. Free Word Award Certificate Template

This free certificate template for Microsoft Word is a good choice if you want to make an award certificate. It's got a simple black and white design that you can customize to your liking.

2. Free Certificate of Achievement for MS Word

Try this free template if you need to make a certificate of achievement. Use it in corporate as well as school settings. 

3. Free Microsoft Word Certificate Template

This free Microsoft Word certificate template is a good starting point for a certificate of achievement. It uses a blue color scheme, but you can change it to a color of your liking.

4. Free Certificate Template for Word

With a subtle green and ivory color scheme, this certificate template is a good starting point for a certificate of achievement in an eco-friendly industry. If you’re not a fan of colors but love the general layout, you can change the colors to your liking. 

5. Simple Free Certificate Template for Microsoft Word

For a simple certificate template design, consider using this template. It features a black and white color scheme and is a good choice for a school certificate.

6. Most Valuable Player Award Certificate 

You can present an MVP award with this sports-inspired certificate template for Word. It’s a starting point for a variety of uses.

7. Halloween Best Costume Award 

This free certificate template can be used to recognize the best Halloween costume. It’s an option for your next party or event.

8. Certificate of Recognition for Administrative Professional 

Administrative professionals are at the core of many businesses. This free Word template is an option to recognize their hard work.

9. Nursery Gift Certificate Template

Here is a gift certificate design built for nurseries and flower gardens. It can be customized with amounts and key details inside Word. 

10. Certificate of Participation 

Participation can be recognized with this free Word certificate. You can adapt it to fit any business with a few clicks. 

11. Free Gift Voucher Certificate for MS Word

This free certificate template has a modern color scheme and comes with a total of three gift certificates per page. 

12. Free Company Training Certificate Template

This free Microsoft Word certificate template is a great choice if you need a company training certificate. It's got a bright orange color scheme, but you can customize it to your liking.

13. Free Employee of The Month Certificate Template

Celebrate your employees with the help of this certificate template. It features a grey color scheme with a decorative chain. 

14. Free Gift Certificate Template for Word

You can quickly make gift certificates for the upcoming holiday season with the help of this free template.  

15. Free Employee of The Month Certificate Template

With a corporate blue and orange color scheme, this certificate template is a good choice for any corporate certificate.  

16. Free Microsoft Word Certificate Template

Try this free certificate template if you want a simple and minimal design suitable for a certificate of achievement.

17. Free Certificate of Excellence Template

Consider this free certificate of excellence template whenever you need to show appreciation for your employees or students. It's got a subtle beige and blue color scheme that you can customize. 

18. Free Scholarship Certificate for Word

This certificate template is a good choice if you want to celebrate students who have secured a scholarship. 

19. Free Team Spirit Certificate for Word

If your company has a sports team, this certificate template will come in handy. Use it to reward employees who have shown exceptional team spirit. 

20. Free Microsoft Word Certificate Template for Sponsors

This free certificate template is a good starting point if you want to make your sponsors feel special. It works well in corporate, as well as sport settings. Customize colors, fonts, and quickly add a company or team image.

How to Customize an Editable Certificate Template For Word (With Premium Designs)

Easy customization is the hallmark of an editable certificate template Word file. In fact, you can customize them in just five quick steps! Let's learn how.

For this mini-tutorial, we’ll use the premium Modern Certificate template from Envato Elements.

Let's get started:

1. Customize Text

Customizing text is amazingly easy with a premium editable certificate template Word. Begin by simply highlighting any block of text. 

Then, start typing. That’s all it takes. Repeat throughout the certificate as needed.

2. Change Font Colors

Changing font colors is a quick and easy way to add style to your certificate. With a block of text selected, find the Font section of the Home tab. There, click on the Font Color dropdown arrow. 

A menu will appear, from which you can add theme colors, along with custom tones and gradients. Click one to apply it.

3. Add a Different Background

An editable certificate template for Word like this has a beautiful and colorful background. But that doesn’t mean you have to use it as-is! It’s easy to change background colors to fit your needs. 

Click on the colorful background, then go to the Picture Tools > Format menu. In the Adjust group on the Home tab, click the Color dropdown. From there, you can browse various background options. Click a thumbnail to preview and apply.

4. Change a Shape Format

Shape formats are a cool Word feature that helps you customize certificates fast. Again, with a shape selected, working in the Picture (or Drawing) Tools > Format menu, open the Picture Effects menu. 

Browse through your options and click to apply new shapes. You’ll find even more choices in the Picture Styles and Artistic Effects menus.

5. Change Shape Colors

Default shape colors are easy to change. Begin by selecting any shape or object on your Word certificate. Return to the Picture (or Drawing) Tools > Format menu, then click on the Shape Fill dropdown. 

From the color chooser, you can easily try out new and unique colors. Click your favorite to apply.

5 Quick Microsoft Word Document Design Tips for 2021

Premium Microsoft Word templates give you unmatched flexibility. They help you build impressive certificates in no time! You won’t find that with a certificate template Word free download. 

Let’s explore five quick tips to help you make incredible certificates quickly:

1. Add a Colorful Backdrop

Let’s face it: solid white backgrounds can be a little boring. Spice things up and create a special certificate with a colorful background instead. 

This helps you create a certificate the recipient will be proud of. It’s quick, easy, and looks great.

2. Insert Custom Artwork

Adding custom artwork in the form of clipart is a fun way to recognize special achievements on a certificate. You can easily find and apply designs that fit your specific needs. And it only takes a few clicks.

Want to learn how? We built a full tutorial on Word clipart just for you:

• 
  Microsoft Word
  
  
  How to Quickly Find, Add & Use Clip Art in Microsoft Word
  
  
  Alexis (Lexi) Rodrigo

3. Put Names Front and Center

Everyone likes to see their name in print. Of course, that’s the point of a certificate! Help someone feel special by putting their name right in the middle of the certificate. 

Bold, clear fonts are essential. They’ll stand out on any wall, desk, or shelf. 

4. Add a Cool Border

Borders add a dash of professional elegance to any certificate. Premium templates often include them. They’re less common with a certificate template Word free download. Either way, you can add borders to create a stylish certificate for any occasion.

Get started with our quick tutorial on Word borders:

• 
  Microsoft Word
  
  
  How to Add Page Borders for Microsoft Word Quickly With Templates
  
  
  Alexis (Lexi) Rodrigo

5. Use Custom Fonts

Certificates tend to be heavy on text, so it’s essential for key details to stand out. Adding custom fonts is a perfect way to ensure they do. 

Many premium editable certificate template Word packs already include custom fonts. Plus, you can explore thousands of custom fonts included with your Envato Elements subscription.

More Top Templates for Microsoft Word

You've seen now that certificate templates for Word with free downloads can't match the premium options we've shown you. You might be surprised how many more templates you can use for Word.

Check out more of the best template options for Microsoft Word in our articles below.

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Discover More Great Microsoft Word Doc Templates

Microsoft Word makes it easy to create various documents you need for your business. From standard contracts and reports and other regular office documents to resumes, proposals, brochures, certificates, and more, MS Word has a lot to offer. 

If you want to see what else you can create with Microsoft Word or if you’re looking for some design inspiration, be sure to check out the posts below. 

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Use Certificate Templates to Quickly Design a Great-Looking Certificate

With the help of a certificate template, you can quickly whip up a certificate for any occasion and whenever you might need it. 

If you’re serious about creating a fully branded and professional certificate, start with a premium certificate template from Envato Elements. With this option, you’ll also get access to thousands of other design assets that you can use to elevate your brand. 

But, if you need a polished certificate template to use right now, stop by GraphicRiver and download one of our premium certificate templates for Word. 

Editorial Note: Our staff updates this post regularly—adding new Microsoft Word certificate templates with the best certificate designs.