You placed a photo in Illustrator, but the part you need is smaller than the image sitting on the canvas. Illustrator gives you a few different crop paths, depending on whether you want to permanently crop one raster image, hide areas with a mask, or crop only the exported file. Start with the direct Crop Image command, then use the later options when you need a non-destructive or export-only result.
Use Crop Image from the task bar
The fastest route is the Contextual Task Bar, because it appears near the selected artwork and puts the crop command in reach.
Place or select the image, then choose the Selection tool and click the image on the canvas.
In the Contextual Task Bar, select Crop Image.
Drag the crop frame handles until the visible area contains the part of the image you want to keep.
Select Apply, or press Enter on Windows or Return on macOS.
If this method fails, make sure only one raster image is selected, then use the Properties panel method below.
Crop from the Properties panel
Select the image you want to crop with the Selection tool.
Open the Properties panel and go to Quick actions.
Select Crop image.
When Illustrator prompts you about a linked image, select OK to embed it and continue, or select Cancel to stop.
Drag the crop handles to frame the part you want to keep.
Adjust PPI in the Properties panel when you need to change the cropped image resolution.
Select Apply to finish.
This crop is rectangular and permanent, so use a mask instead when you need to keep hidden areas editable.
Try the Control panel or Object menu
These entry points run the same core crop, which helps when the task bar or Properties panel is not where you expect it.
- 1.Choose File > Place, select the image, and select Place.
- 2.Select the placed image with the Selection tool.
- 3.Choose Crop Image from the Control panel, or choose Object > Crop Image.
- 4.If Illustrator asks about a linked image, select OK.
- 5.Drag the crop widget corners or edge handles, then select Apply or press Enter on Windows or Return on macOS.
Fine tune the crop box
This fixes a crop that is slightly off, too wide, or hard to position by dragging alone.
After you enter Crop Image, drag a corner handle to resize the crop area.
Hold Shift while resizing to scale proportionally.
Hold Alt to scale the crop area about the center.
Type exact Height or Width values in the Control panel when you need a precise size.
Drag inside the crop widget to reposition the image area.
Use the arrow keys for small moves, or press Shift plus an arrow key for ten-unit movement.
Press Escape or select Cancel to leave without applying the crop.
Use a clipping mask when you need an editable crop
A clipping mask hides the parts outside a vector shape without deleting the original image or artwork. Draw the vector shape you want to use as the visible boundary, then put it above the image with Object > Arrange > Bring to Front.
Select the vector shape and the image together. Choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make, or press Ctrl + 7 on Windows or Command + 7 on macOS.
You can also select an image in the Properties panel and use Quick actions > Mask. Illustrator creates a clip group that you can revise with Edit contents or Edit clipping path.
When you select an image and a vector object together, the Contextual Task Bar can also create a mask with Clip Mask. Later, select the clipping mask and use Edit Mask or Release to change or remove it.
Crop only the exported file
Use this when the Illustrator document should stay unchanged, but the PNG, JPG, or other exported result needs tighter edges. Artboards and export assets crop the output file rather than deleting image pixels in the document.
Select the Artboard tool, or press Shift + O.
Create or resize an artboard around the part you want in the exported file.
Choose File > Export > Export As, select a format, then turn on Use Artboards.
Select All or enter a Range, then select Export.
For screen graphics, choose File > Export > Export for Screens, then use Artboards or Assets, choose the format, and select Export Artboard or Export Assets.
Keep a linked image editable in Photoshop
This fixes the common problem where you want to crop the original linked file but keep Illustrator connected to that source image.
In Illustrator, choose Window > Links.
Select the linked image in the Links panel.
Use Edit Original, or open the Links panel menu and choose Edit in Photoshop.
In Photoshop, select the Crop tool and adjust the crop borders.
Press Enter on Windows or Return on macOS, or select Done.
Save the image in Photoshop, then return to Illustrator and update the link when prompted.
Pick the right crop method
Choose the workflow based on what you want Illustrator to change.
- 1.Use Crop Image when you want a simple rectangular crop on one raster image.
- 2.Use Object > Clipping Mask > Make when you want to hide areas without deleting the original image or artwork.
- 3.Use an opacity mask from Window > Transparency and Make Mask when you need soft edges, gradients, or grayscale transparency.
- 4.Use an artboard or Export for Screens when only the exported file needs to be cropped.
- 5.Use Window > Pathfinder and Crop for vector artwork, not for Adobe's raster Crop Image workflow.
- 6.Do not use crop marks to crop an image; Adobe's crop marks do not affect the printed area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Illustrator crop a linked image?
Yes. Illustrator crops linked or embedded raster images, and a linked image becomes embedded after you continue past the prompt.
Is Crop Image non-destructive in Illustrator?
No. Crop Image makes a permanent rectangular crop. Use a clipping mask when you want to hide parts of the image and keep the original editable.
Why is Crop Image unavailable?
Crop Image requires one selected raster image. It is unavailable when two or more objects are selected.
Can I crop to a circle or custom shape?
Yes. Put a vector shape above the image, select both objects, then choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make.