How to Crop Images on Mac with 5 Easiest Methods

1. Crop Images on Mac via Photos App

The Photos app on Mac lets you crop and straighten photos or videos to improve composition or remove unwanted areas. You can use preset or custom aspect ratios or keep the original one. The photo must also be in your Photos library.

If it's downloaded, drag it from Finder into the app, which makes a separate copy. Note that once cropped, you can't replace the original file outside the Photos app. Follow the instructions beneath to crop image on Mac for free with the Photos app:

• 1. In the Photos app, double-click the image you want to crop. Then, click "Edit" in the toolbar.

• 2. Tap "Crop" or press C to open crop and straighten options.

• 3. Choose "Auto" for automatic cropping or straightening. For manual cropping, drag the box to choose what to keep.
• 4. Pick a preset like "Square" or 4:5, or choose "Custom" to set your own. Click "Done" to save.

2. Crop Images on Mac With Photoshop

The Crop Tool in Photoshop lets you trim parts of an image, change its size, or improve composition by focusing on specific areas. It defines new image boundaries and removes everything outside them. By default, Photoshop permanently deletes cropped pixels, but you can keep them by unchecking "Delete Cropped Pixels."

You can also set exact aspect ratios, sizes, or resolutions for precise cropping. Note that cropping normally affects the whole canvas. So, use tools like the Marquee tool and layer masks to crop only one layer. Here's how to crop image on Mac like a screenshot with Photoshop:

• 1. Open your photo in Photoshop. To crop a single layer, use the "Marquee tool" to make a selection and then create a layer mask.
• 2. Then, tap the "Crop Tool" (fifth icon on the toolbar) or press C. Drag corners or edges to set the crop area.

• 3. Press and hold "Shift" to keep the shape. Drag inside to reposition the image.
• 4. Tap "Ratio" and set optional options from the drop-down, like:

• Aspect ratio/size: Choose a preset or enter custom width, height, and resolution.

• Resolution: Set a value (e.g., 300 ppi for print).

• Straighten: Use the "Straighten Tool" to fix tilted lines.

• Keep cropped pixels: Untick "Delete Cropped Pixels" to preserve hidden areas.

• 5. Press "Enter" or click the checkmark. Head to "File." Then, choose "Save As." Save with a new name to protect the original.

3. Crop Images on Mac in the Preview App

The Preview app on Mac comes pre-installed and lets you view, edit, and crop JPG image or other pic formats easily. It's great for quick edits like improving composition or removing unwanted parts.

However, it's not ideal for complex edits, doesn't allow cropping multiple photos at once, and only hides parts of a PDF instead of deleting them. Some users also notice lower image quality after cropping, so keeping the original resolution helps. Here's how to crop images on Mac in the Preview app:

• 1. Locate the photo you wish to crop. Then, double-click. Open it with Preview.

• 2. Click the "Markup tool" (pen icon) in the menu. Then, tap the "Rectangular Selection" tool (dotted box).
• 3. Choose other shapes like "Elliptical" or "Lasso" if needed. Drag to select the area you want to keep. Adjust by moving edges or corners.

• 4. Head to "Tools." Then, choose "Crop." To replace the original image, choose "File." Then, select "Save."

• 5. But to keep the original, choose "File." Next, select "Export" and save as a new copy.

4. Crop Images on Mac With Quick Look

Quick Look on macOS lets you quickly preview many file types without opening another app. In newer versions, it also offers simple editing tools like cropping, rotating, and adding annotations to images and PDFs.

However, it's best for quick edits, not precise work. Some file types may not support cropping, and plugins have limits that can cause previews to fail if exceeded. Here's how to crop image on Mac without losing quality with Quick Look:

• 1. Select the image and press "Spacebar" to preview it in Quick Look. Then, click the "Markup" button to open editing tools.

• 2. Click the "Crop" icon in the toolbar. Drag the corners or edges to select the part you want to keep.

• 3. Click "Done" to apply and save the cropped image.