How to use Crop Image
- Choose an image or drag it onto the upload area.
- Pick an aspect ratio, then drag or resize the selection on the preview.
- Select Crop image and download the result.
Why crop
Cropping removes the parts of a photo that do not belong: a stranger at the edge of a group photo, a messy table under a document, empty sky above a building. It is also the way to give an image a specific shape, such as a square for a profile picture or a wide 16:9 frame for a video thumbnail.
Step-by-step
- Open your image. A selection covering most of the photo appears.
- Choose an aspect ratio, or keep Free for any shape.
- Drag the selection to move it, and drag its corners or edges to resize it.
- For exact values, type the position and size in pixels in the settings panel.
- Select Crop image and download the result.
On a keyboard, select the crop area and use the arrow keys to move it. Hold Shift with the arrow keys to resize it.
Aspect ratios and where they are used
| Ratio | Shape | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | Square | Profile pictures, Instagram and Facebook posts, product listings |
| 4:3 | Slightly wide | Most phone and compact camera photos, presentation slides |
| 3:2 | Classic photo | DSLR photos, 4 x 6 inch and 6 x 9 inch prints |
| 16:9 | Wide | YouTube thumbnails, laptop wallpapers, TV screens |
| 9:16 | Tall | Stories, reels, phone wallpapers |
Composition tips
- Use the grid. Placing the subject or the horizon along one of the lines that divide the selection into thirds usually looks more balanced than placing it in the center.
- Leave space in the direction a person is looking or moving.
- Avoid cutting people at the joints, such as the knees or elbows. Crop at the mid-thigh or waist instead.
- Keep straight lines straight. If the horizon is tilted, straighten it first and crop afterwards.
Cropping for social media and print
Social networks crop images automatically when they do not match the expected shape, often cutting off heads or text. Cropping yourself before posting puts you in control of what appears. For printing, match the shape of the paper: a 4 x 6 inch print is 3:2, an 8 x 10 inch print is 4:5, and an A4 page is close to 1:1.41. If the shapes do not match, the print shop will crop for you, or leave white borders.
Remember that cropping reduces the number of pixels. If you crop a small part of a photo and then print it large, it will look soft. Crop from the original, full-size photo whenever possible.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter exact crop coordinates?
Yes. The position and size fields show the selection in pixels of the original image. Edit them directly and the selection on the preview updates to match.
Which aspect ratio should I use?
Use 1:1 for profile pictures and many social posts, 16:9 for video thumbnails and presentation slides, 9:16 for stories and reels, and 4:3 or 3:2 for standard photo prints.
Does cropping change the image quality?
Cropping only removes pixels outside the selection. PNG output is pixel-exact. JPG and WEBP output is re-encoded at the quality level shown in the settings.
Does cropping reduce the resolution?
It reduces the total number of pixels, because the parts outside the selection are removed, but the remaining pixels are unchanged.
Can I crop to an exact pixel size?
Yes. Type the width and height in the settings, or crop to the right shape and then use Resize Image for the final size.