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How to Crop an Image Online for Free (Any Aspect Ratio)

2025-09-08 4 min read

Cropping images for social media requires exact dimensions — 1:1 for Instagram, 16:9 for YouTube, 1200×628 for Facebook. Learn how to crop any image for any platform.

Different platforms need different image dimensions. An image that looks great as a Facebook post crops badly on Instagram. Getting the right aspect ratio for every platform is a constant battle — here's how to do it quickly and correctly.

Aspect Ratios for Every Major Platform

  • Instagram post (square): 1:1 (1080×1080 px)
  • Instagram post (portrait): 4:5 (1080×1350 px)
  • Instagram Stories / Reels: 9:16 (1080×1920 px)
  • Twitter/X image: 16:9 (1200×675 px)
  • Facebook post: 1.91:1 (1200×628 px)
  • LinkedIn post: 1.91:1 (1200×628 px)
  • YouTube thumbnail: 16:9 (1280×720 px)
  • Google Business Profile: 1:1 (250×250 px minimum)

Focal Point Cropping

Always keep the subject of your image centered when cropping for social media. Most algorithms display a center-cropped version in feeds and thumbnails. If your subject is off-center, reposition before cropping.

The Rule of Thirds

When cropping portraits or landscape photos, use the rule of thirds — place the main subject along the imaginary lines that divide the image into thirds, not dead center. This creates a more visually engaging composition.

Cropping for Print

Standard print sizes (4×6, 5×7, 8×10) have specific aspect ratios that may not match your original photo. Always crop to the print aspect ratio at full resolution before sending to print to avoid unexpected cuts.

Crop images to exact dimensions with our Image Crop tool.

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