Learn QGIS - Fourth Edition

Polygon labels

For polygon layers, the placement options are as follows:

• Offset from centroid uses the polygon centroid as an anchor and works like offset from point-for-point layers.
• Around centroid works in a manner similar to around point.
• Horizontal places a horizontal label somewhere inside the polygon, independent of the centroid.
• Free fits a freely rotated label inside the polygon.
• Using perimeter places the label on the polygon's outline.

The following screenshot shows the lakes labels (lakes.shp) using the wrapping on the character as an empty space character (click and press the spacebar once), as well as center alignment, and, from the Placement tab, select positioning using the Free option. I have added a buffer to the label ...