To crop in Canva, select your image, choose Crop on the editor toolbar, drag the crop handles to set the visible area, then select Done. You can also choose a preset aspect ratio for an image outside a frame. Basic cropping is free in Canva’s desktop and mobile editors.
The short version
- Standard crop: Select your image, choose Crop, adjust the visible area, and select Done.
- Quick access: Double-click an image on desktop to open its crop settings.
- Circle crops: Place your photo inside a circular frame and adjust its position.
- Save your design: Select Share > Download and choose PNG or JPG.
| Option | What you can do | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Manual crop | Adjust the edges or choose a ratio | Editor toolbar, Crop |
| Crop shortcut | Open crop settings directly | Double-click an image on desktop; double-tap framed or gridded media on mobile |
| Photo-editing panel | Crop while editing a photo | Edit photo or Edit |
| Standalone photo editor | Upload or choose a photo to crop | Homepage, Photo editor |
| Browser Image Cropper | Upload an image directly | Upload your image |
| Existing upload | Crop a photo from your projects | Desktop, Projects |
| Smart Crop | Get an automatic crop | Crop > Smart Crop |
| Library frame | Crop into a circle or another shape | Elements > Browse categories > Frames |
| Mobile circle crop | Place a photo inside a circle | Add menu, + |
| Custom native frame | Fit an image into an eligible shape | Desktop, Change to frame |
| Grid crop | Adjust photos in individual cells | Elements > Browse categories > Grids |
| Page background | Adjust the photo filling a page | Desktop, Set image as background |
| Choppy Crop | Outline a custom crop with a lasso | Canva’s Apps Marketplace |
| Shape Cropper | Fit images into custom frames | Canva’s Apps Marketplace |
| Image download | Export your cropped design | Share > Download |
| Browser Photo Editor page | Access Canva’s image editor | Canva’s Photo Editor product page |
| Canva app download | Get an app for your platform | Canva’s official download page |
Crop an image in your design
Open your design and select the image you want to crop. Select Crop on the editor toolbar, then choose a preset aspect ratio or adjust the crop freely if your image is outside a frame. Drag the crop handles to define the portion you want to keep visible.
Move or resize the image within the crop area to get the composition you want. Select Done, or click outside the image, to finish. These basic steps work in the desktop and mobile editors.
On desktop, you can also double-click the image to open its crop settings directly. Adjust the visible portion, then select Done.
Another route in the app and browser editor is to select the image, choose Edit photo, then open Crop and choose an aspect ratio. The entry button can also be labeled Edit; choose that button when your editor uses that label. Adjust the crop to show the part of the photo you want.
Open a standalone photo or an existing upload
For a standalone photo on desktop or mobile, log in to Canva and select Photo editor from the homepage, then upload or choose your photo. You can also open Quick Create or the Create tab and choose Photo editor. Select Crop, adjust the handles or choose a preset aspect ratio, then select Done.
In a browser, you can start directly at Canva’s Image Cropper. Select Upload your image, or drag your file into the upload area, then choose Crop in the photo editor and adjust the retained area.
You can also open Canva’s official Photo Editor product page to access its image editor in a desktop or mobile browser. If you prefer an app, open Canva’s official download page and choose the appropriate platform. Installing an app is optional for browser-based cropping.
To work on an existing upload on desktop, open Projects > All projects > Images from the homepage. Hover over the photo, select More, then select Edit image. In the photo editor, select Crop and adjust your photo.
Use Smart Crop for an automatic composition
Select your photo, then choose Crop > Smart Crop to let Canva set the crop automatically. Select Done to apply it. You can use Smart Crop in the desktop and mobile editors, including with photos inside frames, grids, and page backgrounds.
Crop a photo into a circle or another frame
On desktop, open Elements > Browse categories > Frames and choose a circle or another available frame shape. Drag a photo from Uploads, Elements, or Projects onto the frame until it snaps into place. Double-click the inserted photo to adjust what shows inside the shape.
Move the photo within the frame, or use its corner handles to resize it. Select Done when the subject sits where you want it.
In the Canva mobile app, upload your photo and open a project, then tap + and search for Frames. Open Elements and choose a circular frame. Tap + again, find your photo under Upload, and drag it into the frame; the upload area may be labeled Uploads.
Double-tap the framed photo on mobile to enter crop mode. Adjust the visible portion, then select Done.
Turn a shape into a custom frame
In the desktop editor, add both the shape and the image to your design. Select them together by dragging a selection around both, or hold Shift while selecting each one. Right-click the selection and choose Change to frame to fit the image into the shape. Adjust the image inside the resulting frame as needed.
Choose a basic, AI-generated, or drawn shape with one visible outline. Graphics, stickers, multipart shapes, and existing frames are excluded. If your shape is excluded, choose an eligible shape or use a frame from the Frames library instead.
Adjust photos in grids and page backgrounds
For a grid, open Elements > Browse categories > Grids and choose a layout. Drag a photo from Uploads or the photo library into a cell. You can use grids for an individual photo or a collage.
On desktop, double-click the photo inside its cell, drag its corner handles to enlarge it, and move it within the cell. Select Done when the crop looks right. On mobile, double-tap the inserted photo to open crop mode, adjust the visible portion, and select Done.
To fill a page with a photo on desktop, add an image from Elements > Photos or Uploads. Right-click the image and select Set image as background. Double-click the background image to resize or reposition the portion visible on the page.
Use apps for freehand and custom crops
For a freehand outline, log in to Canva, open its Apps Marketplace, and search for Choppy Crop. Select a design to open it in the editor. Use the app’s lasso tool to outline a custom crop.
For custom frames, open Canva’s Apps Marketplace, search for Shape Cropper, and select a design to use it with. The app lets you crop images into custom frames and adjust their size and position.
Fix a crop that does not fit your image
If Smart Crop leaves out something important, adjust the crop manually. Reposition or resize the photo within the crop area to change what appears. Canva advises against using Smart Crop for transparent images, screenshots, or graphics, so use the manual crop controls for those images.
If you are working in Canva Docs, background changes are unavailable. To edit an image within the document, Canva points you to its photo editor.
Download your cropped design
When your cropped design is ready, select Share > Download. Choose PNG or JPG as the file type. For a multipage design, choose All, This Page, or Custom to control which pages you export. Select Download to save the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you crop GIFs or embeds in Canva?
You cannot crop GIFs or embeds in Canva. For a photo in your design, select it and choose Crop to adjust the visible area.
Can you switch back to Canva’s old photo editor?
You cannot switch back to the old photo editor. Canva says everyone has moved to the new editor and the old editor is no longer accessible.
Do you need a particular Canva plan to access Choppy Crop?
Canva lists Choppy Crop as available with any plan. The app is made by Tritech Labs Limited.
Why might downloading require a plan or license if cropping is free?
Some export settings and premium content require a qualifying plan or license. Basic cropping itself is free in Canva’s desktop and mobile editors.