What is image cropping?
Cropping removes the outer parts of an image to improve the composition, remove distractions or fit a required shape. It is how you turn a group photo into a profile picture, make a landscape photo fit a square Instagram post, cut a screenshot down to the part that matters, or meet the exact proportions an application form asks for.
Unlike resizing, cropping does not squash or stretch the picture; it keeps the pixels you select at their original resolution. This cropper works entirely in your browser, so your photos never leave your device.
How to crop an image
- Choose, drag or paste an image.
- Pick an aspect ratio, or leave it on Free.
- Drag the selection to move it and drag a corner to resize it. You can also type exact X, Y, width and height values, or select the crop area and use the arrow keys.
- Choose PNG, JPG or WebP and click Crop & download.
Common aspect ratios
| Ratio | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 1:1 | Profile pictures, square social posts, product thumbnails |
| 4:5 | Portrait social posts |
| 4:3 | Classic photos, presentations, many phone cameras |
| 3:2 | DSLR photos and standard 6 × 4 prints |
| 16:9 | Video thumbnails, website banners, widescreen slides |
| 9:16 | Stories, reels and vertical video |
The ratio is width divided by height. A 1:1 crop of a 1600 × 900 photo is at most 900 × 900 pixels.
Composition tips
- Use the grid lines: placing a subject or horizon on one of the thirds usually looks more natural than dead center.
- Leave a little space in front of a face or a moving subject.
- Crop first, then resize. Cropping keeps full detail; use our image resizer afterwards if you need exact pixel dimensions.
More worked examples
Square profile photo: a 1600 × 900 photo cropped to 1:1 gives a 900 × 900 square, the largest that fits.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Cropping too tightly. Leave space around faces; many sites show profile photos as circles.
- Stretching instead of cropping. Change the shape by cropping, not by unlocking the aspect ratio.
- Cropping after resizing. Crop first, then use the image resizer to hit exact pixels.
Sources and methodology
The calculations on this page follow these published standards and references. The code is covered by automated tests against known values.