How to crop an image
- Choose an image from your phone or computer.
- Pick an aspect ratio — or leave it on Free to crop any shape.
- Drag the box to move it, and drag the corner handles to resize it. The exact size of your crop in pixels is shown underneath.
- Optionally choose an output format and an output width to resize while cropping.
- Press Crop & download.
Which aspect ratio should I use?
| Ratio | Common uses |
|---|---|
| 1:1 (square) | Profile pictures, Instagram square posts, product thumbnails, WhatsApp DP |
| 4:5 | Instagram portrait posts — they take up more space in the feed |
| 16:9 | YouTube thumbnails, presentations, website banners, widescreen video |
| 9:16 | Stories, Reels, TikTok and Shorts |
| 3:2 | Standard camera photos, 6×4 inch prints |
| 4:3 / 3:4 | Older cameras and phones, tablets, many slide templates |
Cropping tips for better photos
- Rule of thirds: imagine the frame divided into a 3 × 3 grid and place your subject on one of the lines or intersections, rather than dead centre.
- Leave room to look into: if a person faces left, leave more space on the left side of the frame.
- Straighten horizons before you crop, if your photo app allows it.
- Don’t crop at joints such as wrists, knees or ankles in portraits — it looks awkward. Crop mid-limb instead.
- Check resolution: a tight crop of a small area leaves fewer pixels. For printing, aim for at least 1,800 pixels on the long side of a 6-inch print.
Crop vs. resize
Cropping removes the outer parts of an image to change what is shown and its shape. Resizing keeps everything but changes the number of pixels. Often you need both: crop to the right ratio here, then use the output-width box (or our Image Resizer) to reach the exact pixel size a website asks for.
Frequently asked questions
Can I crop to an exact pixel size?
Choose the aspect ratio you need, crop, and enter the output width. The height follows from the ratio. For example, 1:1 with width 600 gives 600 × 600.
Does cropping reduce quality?
No. The pixels you keep are unchanged. Only the area outside the box is removed. If you also resize to a larger size, the image can look softer.
Does it work on phones?
Yes. Drag the box and corners with your finger.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The crop is done in your browser.