: How to cut intersecting paths in illustrator This is quite a simple question ( I would assume) but I am not able to figure how to do this. I have 2 circular paths without any fill inside.

@Turnbaugh909

You can use Pathfinder. It's fast and it works in any other vector editor (Sketch, Figma, you name it).


Select one of the circles. Copy-paste it above the original. Use Paste in front command to paste the circle right over the original one.





Select the second circle and use subtract tool in the Pathfinder palette





Voila!

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@Annie732

This is just to answer OP's question of other ways of achieving the same result. The best way to do this is still using the Shape Builder tool as mentioned by Metis.

Another Way


Create two intersecting circles
Select both
Go to Window > Pathfinder
Select the Divide option.


Now this will create anchor points on the intersecting joints. Ungroup the generated vector and delete the extra intersection (as there are two objects, there will be two outline strokes. This is to remove the extra one)

Now select the Direct Selection Tool and click on the right circle (for this particular case)

You will notice an anchor point in the middle of the inside curve (refer to the screenshots below). Delete that and the desired result would be achieved.

(Excuse the non-alignment)

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@Murray976

Use the Shape Builder Tool.

Select both circles and merely drag across the path you don't want.

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