Cropping removes the parts of a picture you do not need. Done well, it keeps the image sharp and focuses the eye. This guide shows how to crop an image without losing quality and which ratio to choose, using our free image cropper.
Crop, do not stretch
Cropping cuts pixels away. Resizing changes how many pixels there are. If you need a different shape, crop first, then resize. Stretching an image to fit a shape distorts faces and objects, so avoid it.
Common ratios and where to use them
| Ratio | Good for |
|---|---|
| 1:1 | Profile pictures, square social posts |
| 4:3 | Classic photos, presentations |
| 3:2 | Camera photos, prints |
| 16:9 | Video thumbnails, website headers |
| 3:4 and 9:16 | Portraits, stories and vertical video covers |
Each platform changes its preferred size from time to time, so check the current size before you publish.
Tips for a better crop
- Keep the subject off the exact centre. Placing it near a third of the frame looks more natural.
- Leave room in the direction a person looks or moves.
- Cut distractions at the edges, such as a stray hand or a bright object.
- Start from the largest original you have. A bigger source gives you more room to crop and still stay sharp.
- Do not crop a copy of a copy. Each save as JPG loses a little detail.
Which format should you save as?
- PNG for logos, screenshots and anything with transparency.
- JPG for photos when file size matters.
- WebP for the web: usually smaller than JPG at the same quality.
Frequently asked questions
Does cropping reduce image quality?
Not by itself. The remaining pixels are unchanged. Quality drops only if you save in a lossy format at a low quality setting.
Can I undo a crop?
Your original file is never changed, so you can always crop again from it.
Is it private?
Yes. The crop runs in your browser and the image is not uploaded.
Try the image cropper, then shrink the file with the image compressor if you need it smaller.
Free, runs in your browser, nothing uploaded, no sign-up.
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