1. Choose an image
Open a JPG, PNG, or WebP from your device, or use the sample. The file stays inside your browser.
Crop Image Online for Free
1. Add and frame your image
Drop a JPG, PNG, or WebP here
Your image stays private. Canvas processing happens locally in this browser; files are not transmitted or stored. No account and no watermark. Tested with JPG, PNG, and WebP up to 25 MB and 40 megapixels; browser memory and canvas limits can vary.
Choose an image or load the sample to begin.
2. Set the crop and output
Choose a shape
Common outcomes
Exact crop in source pixels
These values select pixels from the edited source. Dragging or resizing the box updates them immediately.
Correct the image before cropping
Resize after cropping (optional)
Cropping removes edge content. These optional fields resize the finished crop afterward; entering both can change its proportions.
Download settings
JPG works well for photos but does not preserve transparency. Quality affects JPG and WebP only.
Live crop details
- Original image
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- Current crop
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- Aspect ratio
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- Output size
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- Format
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- Approx. file size
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Live cropped preview
Your crop preview will appear here.![Live preview of the cropped output]()
Keyboard: focus the crop and use arrow keys to move; hold Shift to resize. Exact fields provide full keyboard control.
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How to crop an image online
2. Frame the crop
Drag the box, use a ratio preset, or enter exact source-pixel X, Y, width, and height values.
3. Check the output
Optionally rotate, straighten, flip, zoom, resize after cropping, and inspect the live dimensions and preview.
4. Download
Choose JPG, PNG, or WebP, set the filename and lossy quality when available, then select Crop and download.
Crop settings explained
Crop versus resize
Cropping removes content outside a frame. Resizing scales the pixels that remain. For example, selecting a 1600×900 area from a 2400×1600 photo is a crop; exporting that selection at 1280×720 is a later resize.
Choosing an aspect ratio
The formula is aspect ratio = width ÷ height. A 1280×720 image is 1.777…, the same shape as 16:9. Choose Free for unrestricted framing, Original to keep the source shape, or the ratio required by the destination.
Choosing an output format
JPG is a practical choice for opaque photographs. PNG is lossless and preserves transparency. WebP can preserve transparency and offers lossy compression, but whether it is smaller depends on the image and settings. Browser encoder support is required.
Avoiding quality loss
Start with the highest-resolution source, avoid enlarging a small crop, and preview the result at its intended size. PNG quality is fixed and lossless; for JPG or WebP, 90% is a sensible starting point before balancing detail against file size.
Common crop ratio and size reference
| Use | Ratio | Example output | Framing note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square post or profile | 1:1 | 1080×1080 | Keep the subject centered if the service masks it as a circle. |
| Portrait post | 4:5 | 1080×1350 | Provides more vertical space without filling a full phone screen. |
| Widescreen thumbnail | 16:9 | 1280×720 | Keep text and faces away from the outer edge. |
| Story, Reel, or vertical video cover | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | Leave safe space near interface overlays at the top and bottom. |
Image cropper FAQ
Are my image files uploaded or stored?
No. Image decoding, editing, cropping, previewing, and export happen locally in your browser. Files are not transmitted to or stored by Starlight Tools.
Is the image cropper free, and does it add a watermark?
The cropper is free to use, requires no account, and does not add a watermark.
Which input and output formats are supported?
The tested input formats are JPG, PNG, and WebP. You can export JPG, PNG, or WebP when the chosen format is supported by your browser.
Can I crop an image on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The crop box supports touch, pen, mouse, and exact numeric controls, and the layout adapts to narrow screens.
Can a cropped image keep a transparent background?
Yes. Choose PNG or WebP to preserve transparency. JPG replaces transparent areas with white. Circle crop automatically uses transparent PNG.
Does cropping reduce image quality?
Cropping removes pixels outside the selection but does not need to blur the retained pixels. Enlarging the output or using a low JPG or WebP quality setting can reduce visible quality.
Can I crop to exact pixel dimensions?
Yes. Enter source-pixel X, Y, width, and height values. Optional output width and height resize the crop only after the selection is made.
What is the difference between cropping and resizing?
Cropping removes content around the edges. Resizing changes the pixel dimensions of the retained crop and may scale it up or down.
Does downloading remove image metadata?
Yes. The browser creates a new canvas export containing image pixels only, so EXIF and other source metadata are not copied to the download.
Which aspect ratio should I choose?
Choose the ratio required by the destination: 1:1 for squares and many profile images, 4:5 for portrait posts, 16:9 for widescreen thumbnails, 9:16 for Stories or Reels, or Free when no fixed shape is required.