Crop an image

How to crop

1. Load your image.
2. Click and drag to draw a rectangle over the area to keep. On a touch screen, drag your finger.
3. The size of the selection is shown in pixels: adjust it until you get the framing you want.
4. Download the cropped image. "Another image" lets you start again.

Cropping is not resizing

Cropping removes the edges of the image to keep only part of it; the pixels kept do not change. Resizing shrinks or enlarges the whole image. For a profile picture from a group photo, crop to the face first, then resize to 400 or 512 pixels.

Common aspect ratios

A few framing rules

• The rule of thirds: place the subject on one of the lines dividing the image into thirds, rather than dead centre.
• Leave room in the direction of a gaze or movement.
• Cut decisively: avoid slicing through a subject at a joint, such as a wrist, knee or neck.
• Remove distractions: the edge of a finger, a passer-by, a bin in the corner.

Cropping for privacy

Cropping is also the simplest way to remove a number plate, a house number, a visible screen or a person who should not appear. Combine it with the Remove metadata tool, which erases the GPS position stored in the file.

Frequently asked questions

Is quality preserved?

Yes, cropping uses the image's original resolution, without needless recompression.

Is my image sent to a server?

No. Cropping happens in your browser; the image stays on your device.

Can I crop on my phone?

Yes. Drag your finger across the image to draw the area to keep.

How do I get a perfect square?

Draw the area while watching the displayed dimensions until width and height are equal.