How to crop a picture
- Open the image. JPG, PNG and WebP all work.
- Choose an aspect ratio. "Free" lets you crop any shape; the presets lock the box to standard proportions.
- Position the box. Drag inside it to move it; drag a corner to resize it. Click and drag outside the box to draw a new one.
- Download. The cropped area is saved at the original resolution.
Which aspect ratio to use
| Ratio | Where it's used |
|---|---|
| 1:1 | Instagram square posts, profile pictures, product photos |
| 4:5 | Instagram portrait posts (takes up the most space in the feed) |
| 9:16 | Stories, Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, phone wallpapers |
| 16:9 | YouTube thumbnails, presentations, desktop wallpapers |
| 1.91:1 | Facebook and LinkedIn link previews |
| 4:3 and 3:2 | Standard camera photos and prints (6 × 4 inch is 3:2) |
Framing tips
- Rule of thirds: place the subject or the horizon on one of the grid lines rather than dead centre. It usually makes a more interesting picture.
- Leave space in the direction of movement or where a person is looking.
- Crop out distractions at the edges: bright objects, half-visible people, clutter.
- Don't crop at joints (wrists, knees, ankles) in portraits; crop between them instead.
- Straighten first: if the horizon is tilted, rotate the image before cropping.
Crop versus resize
Cropping removes the edges of a picture and keeps the remaining pixels unchanged. Resizing keeps the whole picture but changes how many pixels it has. To get an exact size like 1080 × 1080, crop to 1:1 here, then use the Image Resizer.
Private by design
The image is cropped in your browser and never uploaded, which matters for personal photos and screenshots with private information.
Frequently asked questions
How do I crop a photo to a square?
Choose 1:1 Square, move the box over the part you want, and press Crop & download.
Does cropping reduce image quality?
No. Cropping keeps the original pixels in the area you choose. The image is simply smaller in size.
How do I crop for Instagram?
Use 1:1 for square posts, 4:5 for portrait posts, or 9:16 for stories and Reels.
Can I crop on my phone?
Yes. Drag the box and its corners with your finger.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. Cropping happens in your browser.
Last updated October 2026 · More image tools