How to use this calculator
Choose a common aspect ratio and landscape or portrait orientation, or enter a custom whole-number width-to-height ratio. For 4:5 choose the 10 × 8 (5:4) preset and Portrait; for 9:16 choose Widescreen and Portrait. Ratios always read width:height. Enter the source pixel dimensions, then position the crop at the center or an edge. The diagram shows the geometry; use the same pixel dimensions in your photo editor to inspect the actual subject. This tool does not upload or edit your image. Presets specify proportions, not a physical print size. Check print size with this crop carries only the remaining pixels so you can choose any PPI or paper size next. The 6 × 4, 7 × 5 and 10 × 8 presets also offer a separate link labelled with paper width × height in inches. Clicking that link chooses the stated physical size and orientation for paper-fit mode. It starts with an editable zero minimum border; check your printer’s margins and the print preview separately.
The formula
A worked example
A 6,000 × 4,000 image cropped to 16:9 becomes 6,000 × 3,375, retaining 84.375% of its pixels. A centered crop removes 312 pixels from the top and 313 from the bottom. A square crop is 4,000 × 4,000. The landscape 10 × 8 preset keeps 5,000 × 4,000 pixels (83.333333%); centering removes 500 pixels at each side. Keeping the right edge removes all 1,000 pixels from the left.
Assumptions & limitations
Uses the largest exact-ratio rectangle with whole-pixel dimensions, without rotating the source, resizing, or subject-aware positioning. Portrait swaps the preset ratio, not your source dimensions. For centered crops, odd leftover pixels put the extra pixel on the right or bottom. Small source images may not fit one exact ratio block.
Compare aspect-ratio crops
Changing the shape removes different amounts of the same image. These examples start with a landscape 6000 × 4000 pixel photo. Each keeps the largest exact-ratio rectangle made of whole pixels, without rotating or stretching the source.
This is a numerical crop planner: it gives you dimensions and margins to apply in a photo editor. The preview shows geometry, not your photograph.
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Width:height ratio | Pixels kept | Area removed | Open example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:2 | 6000 × 4000 | 0% | Try 3:2 |
| 7:5 | 5600 × 4000 | 6⅔% | Try 7:5 |
| 5:4 | 5000 × 4000 | 16⅔% | Try 5:4 |
| 1:1 | 4000 × 4000 | 33⅓% | Try 1:1 |
| 16:9 | 6000 × 3375 | 15.625% | Try 16:9 |
| 4:5 | 3200 × 4000 | 46⅔% | Try 4:5 |
| 9:16 | 2250 × 4000 | 62.5% | Try 9:16 |
Fractions describe image area, not the length removed from one edge. Centered crops share the removed pixels between opposite edges; choose an edge position to keep a subject near that side. Open an example to see the exact margins, then replace the source dimensions with your own.
Choose the shape before the output size
A 4:5 portrait crop and a 5:4 landscape crop are different shapes. On this source, 4:5 keeps 3200 × 4000 pixels while 5:4 keeps 5000 × 4000. A ratio does not set a physical print size, PPI or a platform’s current upload requirements. Use the print-size tool after choosing a crop, or compare cropping with keeping the whole image and adding borders.
Common questions
How do I crop an image to a different aspect ratio?
Enter its width and height in pixels and the target width:height ratio. Use the returned crop dimensions and edge margins in your photo editor, then inspect the subject before saving. This calculator plans the crop; it does not load or modify an image.
Is cropping the same as resizing?
No. Cropping removes pixels at the edges to change the framing. Resizing changes the pixel dimensions through resampling; keeping the same width-to-height proportion avoids stretching. A crop ratio alone does not choose a final file size or physical paper size.
Why are the top and bottom margins sometimes different?
An odd number of discarded pixels cannot be split equally into integer margins. One side receives the extra pixel.
Does cropping change print resolution?
Cropping removes pixels. Use the remaining dimensions in the photo print-size calculator to choose a physical size at your desired PPI.
Supporting reference
The method above states this calculator’s assumptions. This reference provides related definitions and technical context.
Adobe Photoshop: crop tool options ↗Formula and worked example checked against automated test cases. About our methodology.