Tool manual

How to use the Rectangular Marquee tool

The Rectangular Marquee tool selects a rectangle or a square. Whatever you do next, such as a fill, a filter or a copy, only changes what is inside it.

Where to find it

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

How to use it

1. Choose the tool. Press M, or click the dashed square in the toolbar.
2. Drag a box. Drag from one corner to the opposite one. A small label shows the width and height as you go.
3. Make it square if you like. Press Shift after you start dragging to keep the sides equal.
4. Use the selection. Copy, fill, adjust or delete what is inside. Press Ctrl+D (Cmd+D on a Mac) to deselect.

Options bar settings

• New, Add, Subtract, Intersect: What a new box does to an existing selection. Holding Shift adds, Alt subtracts and Shift+Alt intersects, whatever button is on.
• Size: Free lets you drag any shape. Fixed size asks for a width and height in pixels, and a click places a box of exactly that size.

Tips and common mistakes

• A single click outside the selection, without dragging, deselects.
• Holding Shift before you start dragging adds to the selection instead of making a square. Start the drag first, then press Shift.
• For a box with a set shape for printing or social media, the Crop tool has ratio presets and may be the better choice.

Related

• How to use the Elliptical Marquee tool
• How to use the Lasso tool
• How to use the Move tool
• Crop an image online

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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