How to use the Crop tool

The Crop tool trims the picture to a box you choose. It can keep a set ratio, straighten a tilted photo and square up something shot at an angle.

Where to find it

It is in the toolbar, in one slot with Slice and Slice Select. Right-click the slot, or press and hold it, to choose between them. Press C to pick it, and Shift+C to step through the other tools on that key.

How to use it

Choose the tool. Press C. A box covering the whole picture is ready at once.
Pick a ratio. Leave Ratio on Free, or choose one such as 1 : 1 (square) or 16 : 9.
Adjust the box. Drag its edges or corners, drag inside it to move it, or drag on the picture outside it to draw a new one.
Apply. Press Enter or click the tick button. Esc resets the box.

The Crop tool box at a 4:5 ratio around a bicycle, with the outside darkened — Screenshot from the editor, 13 November 2026.

Options bar settings

Ratio: Free, Original ratio, common print and screen ratios, or W × H… to type your own. The arrows button between the two numbers swaps portrait and landscape.
Straighten: Draw a line along something that should be level, such as the horizon. The picture turns level and the box trims the corners.
Perspective: Drag a box, then drag its corners onto the edges of a page, sign or painting. Applying squares it up.

Tips and common mistakes

Shift while dragging a corner keeps the box at its current shape.
The box cannot reach past the picture. To add space around it, use Image → Canvas Size….

Questions

Can I crop to an exact size in pixels?

Set the ratio with W × H… to the shape you want, crop, then set the exact pixels with Image → Image Size….

Photostar is a free online Photoshop alternative that runs in your browser. There is no account to make, and your files stay on your device.

Checked 13 November 2026 in the current editor.

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