How to zoom and pan images in Photoshop

How to Zoom and Curlicue Images in Photoshop

This tutorial shows you how to zoom, roll and navigate images in Photoshop like a pro. You'll learn how to use the Zoom Tool, the Hand Tool, the View commands and more, along with some bully tips and tricks to speed up your workflow!

If you're new to Photoshop, one of the first things you demand to know is how to navigate an image, meaning how to zoom in and zoom out, and how to pan or scroll an prototype from one area to another. So in this tutorial, I show you the best ways to piece of work. I comprehend the basics of zooming and panning images, including the tools and commands yous need to know. But I also show you lots of corking tips and tricks to speed things upward!

I'm using Photoshop 2022 but any contempo version will work. This is lesson one of vii in Affiliate iv - Navigating Images in Photoshop.

Let's get started!

How to zoom in and zoom out in Photoshop

Yous tin can follow forth with your own image. I'll employ this image from Adobe Stock.

An image opened in Photoshop

Opening the image in Photoshop.

Where to find the current zoom level

When you commencement open up your image, Photoshop zooms the image out so it fits entirely on the screen. And we can see the current zoom level in the document tab at the top. In my case, it's 33.three%. Your value may exist different.

Viewing the current zoom level in the Photoshop document tab.

Viewing the current zoom level in the tab.

Irresolute the zoom level

The zoom level is also displayed in the lower left of the document. Just the difference is that we can change the zoom level from here.

The zoom level displayed in the lower left of the Photoshop document.

Viewing the zoom level in the bottom left corner.

Double-click on the current value to highlight it.

Highlighting the current zoom level.

Highlighting the current zoom level.

Then enter a new value, similar 50 for 50%.

Entering a new zoom level for the Photoshop document.

Entering a new zoom level.

Press Enter on a Windows PC or Render on a Mac. And the paradigm instantly jumps to the new zoom level.

The image is now zoomed in to 50 percent in Photoshop

The image is now zoomed to l%.

Zooming with the Scrubby Slider

And here's the beginning tip. If y'all hover your cursor over the zoom level in the lower left, and hold downwardly the Ctrl key on your keyboard, or the Command key on a Mac, your cursor will modify to a scrubby slider.

Hovering over the zoom level while holding the Ctrl (Win) / Command (Mac) key

Hover over the zoom level and hold Ctrl (Win) / Command (Mac).

You can and so drag to the right to zoom in, or drag to the left to zoom out. And if you add together the Shift key (then that's Shift+Ctrl in Windows or Shift+Command on a Mac) you'll zoom in or out in larger ten% increments.

Dragging with the scrubby slider to zoom in on the image.

Dragging with the scrubby slider to zoom in.

Photoshop'due south Zoom In and Zoom Out commands

Another style to zoom in and out of an epitome is past going up to the View bill of fare in the Menu Bar and using the Zoom In and Zoom Out commands.

Photoshop's Zoom In and Zoom Out commands under the View menu.

The Zoom In and Zoom Out commands nether the View menu.

I'll cull Zoom In, and Photoshop zooms the image in a chip closer. The only problem with these commands is that y'all would need to go along going dorsum to the View menu and reselecting them to zoom in or out farther.

The result after selecting the Zoom In command.

The effect after selecting the Zoom In command.

The Zoom In and Zoom Out keyboard shortcuts

Thankfully, each command has a keyboard shortcut. And these are two of the about useful shortcuts in Photoshop to memorize. To zoom in, press and hold the Ctrl primal, or the Command central on a Mac, so press the plus sign (+). And to zoom out, concur the Ctrl fundamental, or Command on a Mac, and printing the minus sign (-).

The keyboard shortcuts for Photoshop's Zoom In and Zoom Out commands.

The keyboard shortcuts for the Zoom In and Zoom Out commands.

Photoshop's zoom level presets

Keep an eye on the zoom level in the document tab equally yous printing Ctrl++ (Win) / Command++ (Mac) to zoom in on the epitome, and Ctrl+- (Win) / Command+- (Mac) to zoom out. Find that the zoom level jumps to specific values.

For example, if y'all zoom out to 25%:

Zooming the image out to 25 percent.

Zoomed out to 25%.

And then press Ctrl++ (Win) / Control++ (Mac) to zoom in, the zoom level volition jump to 33.3%.

Photoshop jumps the zoom level from 25 percent to 33.3 percent

The zoom level jumps from 25% to 33.3%.

Continue zooming in and the zoom level jumps to 50%, then 66.seven%, and and then 100%. And if you press Ctrl+- (Win) / Command+- (Mac) repeatedly to zoom out, the zoom level jumps from 100% back to 66.seven%, so 50%, 33.3%, and so back to 25%.

These are not random values. These are the zoom levels that give u.s. the well-nigh authentic view of the epitome. Whatever time we're viewing the prototype at a zoom level less than 100%, we're not seeing all of the pixels. And then Photoshop needs to redraw the image with fewer pixels while still trying to brand information technology await as authentic as possible.

But if you lot're zoomed in at a value other than one of these presets, the epitome will expect softer on your screen than it really is.

For example, on the left is the image zoomed in to an odd value, like 51.25%. And on the right is the image zoomed in to 50% (one of the presets). Notice how her eyelashes look softer on the left and sharper on the right. That's because the fifty% zoom level on the correct is giving u.s. a more than accurate view.

A comparison of the sharpness at two different zoom levels in Photoshop.

A sharpness comparing with the zoom level at 51.25% (left) and 50% (right).

So whenever yous need a sharper view of your image, employ the keyboard shortcut Ctrl++ (Win) / Command++ (Mac) to zoom in, or Ctrl+- (Win) / Command+- (Mac) to zoom out to the nearest preset level (25%, 33.3%, fifty%, 66.7%, 100% and so on).

The Fit on Screen command

To go dorsum to viewing the entire image at once, go up to the View card and choose the Fit on Screen command. And notice that it has a keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+0 or Command+0 on a Mac.

Choosing the Fit on Screen command from the View menu in Photoshop.

Going to View > Fit on Screen.

I'll cull Fit on Screen, and now the entire paradigm is once once more visible.

The zoom level after choosing the Fit on Screen command in Photoshop.

The outcome subsequently choosing Fit on Screen.

The 100% view

But to get the most accurate view possible, we need to view the image at a zoom level of 100%. And yous can jump to 100% at any time by going up to the View menu and choosing 100%. Or by pressing the keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+i or Control+1 on a Mac.

Choosing the 100 percent command from Photoshop's View menu.

Going to View > 100%.

While we accept the View menu open up, notice that all of the main zoom commands share the same key for their shortcut. It's the Ctrl primal on a Windows PC and the Control primal on a Mac. In one case you know that, all you demand to remember is to add the plus sign to zoom in, the minus sign to zoom out, 0 to fit the image on screen, and 1 to jump to 100%.

The zoom command keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop.

The zoom command shortcuts.

I'll choose 100%, and the image jumps to the 100% zoom level.

Viewing the image at the 100 percent zoom level in Photoshop.

Viewing the image at the 100% zoom level.

Information technology's very important to understand that viewing the image at 100% is the only way to see a truly authentic view of your image with all of its detail. At 100%, each pixel in the image is displayed past a single pixel on your screen. And that is not true with any other zoom level.

So if you are sharpening the image or doing anything where you need the virtually accurate view possible, be sure to view it at 100%.

For at present, I'll get dorsum to plumbing fixtures it on the screen by pressing Ctrl+0 (Win) / Command+0 (Mac).

Fitting the image on screen.

Fitting the image on screen.

Using the Zoom Tool

So far, nosotros've learned that nosotros can zoom in and out using the Zoom in and Zoom Out commands. And you'll use these commands all the time. But they do have i big drawback. They can but zoom on the centre of the certificate window.

To control which office of the paradigm nosotros're zooming in to, nosotros use Photoshop'southward Zoom Tool, found virtually the lesser of the toolbar. You can also select the Zoom Tool from your keyboard past pressing the letter of the alphabet Z.

Selecting Photoshop's Zoom Tool from the toolbar.

Selecting the Zoom Tool from the toolbar.

With the Zoom Tool agile, your mouse cursor changes to a magnifying glass with a plus sign in the middle.

The Zoom Tool's magnifying glass icon.

The Zoom Tool'south magnifying glass icon.

Click on the area with the Zoom Tool to zoom in, and click repeatedly to zoom in closer. The Zoom Tool uses the same preset values equally the Zoom In and Zoom Out commands that nosotros looked at earlier (like 25%, 33.three%, l%, 66.seven%, 100%) and so you're getting the most accurate view.

Zooming in closer to the woman's eye with Photoshop's Zoom Tool.

Clicking with the Zoom Tool to zoom in on her heart.

To zoom out with the Zoom Tool, printing and hold the Alt key on your keyboard, or the Option fundamental on a Mac. The plus sign will change to a minus sign.

Holding Alt (Win) / Option (Mac) to zoom out with the Zoom Tool.

Property Alt (Win) / Option (Mac) to zoom out with the Zoom Tool.

Then click on an surface area to zoom out, and click repeatedly to zoom out farther.

Clicking with the Zoom Tool to zoom out from the click point.

Clicking with the Zoom Tool to zoom out.

Zooming in across 100%

You can zoom in beyond 100%. In fact, these days Photoshop lets y'all zoom all the way in to 12800%, although you may want to get your optics checked if you need to zoom in that close. But once we get beyond 100%, we're non seeing whatsoever more detail. We're only making the pixels larger.

Here I'grand zoomed in to 800% and the paradigm is looking quite blocky:

Zooming in beyond 100 percent in Photoshop only makes the pixels bigger.

Zooming in beyond 100% only makes the pixels bigger.

The Pixel Grid

If yous continue zooming in closer and closer beyond 100%, yous'll eventually see an outline effectually the pixels known as the Pixel Grid. The grid won't be visible when you save or print the image. It'south merely for reference. And it volition disappear when yous zoom dorsum out.

The Pixel Grid in Photoshop.

The Pixel Grid appears when you zoom in far beyond 100%.

You lot can disable the Pixel Grid by going up to the View carte du jour, choosing Evidence, and then Pixel Grid to deselect information technology. To turn it back on afterwards, just get back to the View menu and reselect it. Personally I just leave it on because I rarely zoom in close enough for it to appear.

Turning the Pixel Grid off in Photoshop.

Go to View > Testify > Pixel Grid to turn the filigree on and off.

How to temporarily switch to the Zoom Tool from your keyboard

And then the Zoom Tool is dandy for zooming in on a specific area. But rather than selecting it from the toolbar every fourth dimension you need to zoom in or out, a better way is to access the Zoom Tool temporarily from your keyboard.

Just hold down the spacebar and the Ctrl fundamental on a Windows PC, or the spacebar and the Command key on a Mac. Mac users may need to hold the spacebar first, then the Command key, to avert a disharmonize with the MacOS operating organisation.

Y'all'll have admission to the Zoom Tool for as long equally the keys are held down and then you lot tin click on an area to zoom in. To zoom out, add the Alt key, or the Option primal on a Mac. Release the Alt or Pick cardinal to switch back to zooming in, and release all the keys to switch back to the previous tool so you lot can go along on working.

Continuous Zoom

Another way to use the Zoom Tool is with a characteristic known as Continuous Zoom. With the Zoom Tool agile, click on an surface area where you want to zoom in and keep your mouse button held down. Later on a second or so, Photoshop volition start zooming in continuously until you release your mouse button. To zoom out continuously, add together the Alt key or the Pick central, and and then click and agree.

Scrubby Zoom

Merely my favorite way, and the fastest way, to use the Zoom Tool is with a feature called Scrubby Zoom. This feature should be turned on by default. But just to make sure, select the Zoom Tool from the toolbar.

Selecting the Zoom Tool in Photoshop.

Selecting the Zoom Tool.

And in the Options Bar, brand certain Scrubby Zoom is checked.

Photoshop's Scrubby Zoom option in the Options Bar.

The Scrubby Zoom choice in the Options Bar.

Then simply click and drag to the correct to zoom in on an area, or drag to the left to zoom out. The faster you drag, the faster the zooming will be.

The only catch with Scrubby Zoom is that you need to commencement dragging immediately later on you click. If you expect too long, Photoshop will presume you want to utilise Continuous Zoom instead. And once Continuous Zoom starts, dragging has no effect. And so to use Scrubby Zoom, brand sure you start dragging as before long as your mouse push is down.

Clicking and dragging left or right with the Zoom Tool to use Scrubby Zoom in Photoshop.

Click and elevate left or correct with the Zoom Tool to employ Scrubby Zoom.

Dragging a selection outline to zoom in

If yous turn Scrubby Zoom off past unchecking information technology in the Options Bar:

Turning Scrubby Zoom off in Photoshop's Options Bar.

Turning Scrubby Zoom off.

And then the Zoom Tool behaves more like the Rectangular Marquee Tool. You can click and drag a option outline around an area:

Clicking and dragging a selection outline with the Zoom Tool in Photoshop.

With Scrubby Zoom off, click and drag a selection outline with the Zoom Tool.

And when you release your mouse push, Photoshop instantly zooms in on that expanse. If you prefer to piece of work this way, you tin leave Scrubby Zoom unchecked. But if you like Scrubby Zoom better, only reselect it in the Options Bar.

Photoshop zooms in on the selected area when you release your mouse button.

Photoshop zooms in on the selected area when you release your mouse button.

Zooming with the curl cycle

Finally, i more fashion to zoom in and out is by using the scroll bicycle on your mouse. And this works with any tool agile, not just the Zoom Tool.

Hover your cursor over the area where yous want to zoom in. Press and hold the Alt key or the Option fundamental on a Mac, and gyre the wheel up to zoom in or down to zoom out.

And if y'all add the Shift key, you'll limit the zoom values to just those presets we looked at before that give you the sharpest and nigh accurate view. And that'south the basics of zooming in and zooming out in Photoshop.

Scrolling in and out of the image in Photoshop using the mouse scroll wheel.

Hold Alt (Win) / Option (Mac) and scroll upwards or down to zoom in or out.

How to pan or ringlet an image in Photoshop

Side by side, let's look at how to pan or scroll an prototype from one area to some other. Panning or scrolling is most useful when we're zoomed in and can't see everything at once.

So I'll zoom my image in to 100% by going upwardly to the View menu and choosing 100%. Or by pressing that keyboard shortcut we learned in the previous section, Ctrl+1 or Control+ane on a Mac.

Viewing the image at the 100 percent zoom level in Photoshop.

Viewing the epitome at 100%.

Using the Hand Tool

To pan the image from ane area to another, we use Photoshop's Hand Tool which is found in the toolbar directly above the Zoom Tool. You tin also select the Hand Tool from the keyboard by pressing the letter of the alphabet H.

Selecting Photoshop's Hand Tool from the toolbar.

Selecting the Hand Tool from the toolbar.

With the Paw Tool agile, your mouse cursor changes to a paw icon.

Photoshop's Hand Tool icon.

The Hand Tool icon.

And so simply click on the paradigm, go along your mouse button held down, and drag the image around to view and audit different areas. Release your mouse push to permit become.

Panning the image with the Hand Tool in Photoshop.

Panning the epitome with the Hand Tool.

Flick Panning

If yous release your mouse push while you are in the middle of a drag, you will toss or throw the paradigm in that direction. And it volition keep moving until it gradually comes to a finish. Or you lot can stop it manually past clicking on the image again. This is known every bit Flick Panning.

Flick panning the image with the Hand Tool in Photoshop.

Release your mouse button in the centre of a drag to throw the paradigm in that direction.

If Picture show Panning is not working, check to make certain it's enabled in Photoshop's Preferences. On a Windows PC, go up to the Edit carte du jour. On a Mac, go up to the Photoshop carte du jour. From there, choose Preferences, and and then Tools.

Opening the Tools preferences in Photoshop.

Going to Edit (Win) / Photoshop (Mac) > Preferences > Tools.

Make sure Enable Flick Panning is checked, and so click OK to shut the Preferences dialog box.

Making sure the Enable Flick Panning option is turned on in Photoshop.

Making certain Enable Flick Panning is turned on.

How to access the Hand Tool temporarily

Just similar with the Zoom Tool that we looked at earlier, you lot won't want to select the Hand Tool from the toolbar every time you need to pan to a different function of the image.

And so a faster way to piece of work is to access the Hand Tool temporarily from your keyboard. And you can exercise that by pressing and holding the spacebar. So property the spacebar forth with the Ctrl (Win) / Command (Mac) key lets you access the Zoom Tool temporarily, and belongings the spacebar on its own gives you access to the Paw Tool.

Release the spacebar when you lot are done panning to switch from the Paw Tool back to your previous tool.

Panning the image with the scroll bars

You can move the prototype up or down using the scroll bar along the correct of the certificate window. And you tin can pan left or correct using the scroll bar along the bottom.

Panning the image in Photoshop using the scroll bars along the right and bottom of the document window.

Panning the paradigm with the scroll bars.

Panning with the scroll cycle

Merely you tin can too pan the image up, downwardly, left or right using the scroll bicycle on your mouse (if your mouse has one). This works with whatever tool active, not simply the Hand Tool. Scrolling the wheel up moves the image up, and scrolling down moves information technology down.

Hold the Ctrl central, or the Command key on a Mac, and scroll the bike up to pan the image to the left, or coil down to pan it to the right.

And just to recap from earlier, belongings the Alt or Choice primal while scrolling your mouse wheel up or down lets yous zoom in and out.

Panning the image up, down, left or right in Photoshop using the mouse scroll wheel.

Panning the image up, down, left or right using the mouse gyre wheel.

The Birds Eye View

Finally, a bully way to pan an image is by using a feature called Bird's Eye View, which is not but useful but also a lot of fun.

I'll zoom in close to my image so we can actually see how information technology works. Hither I'm zoomed in to 200%.

Zooming in to 200 percent.

Zooming in on a specific part of the image.

Earlier, we learned that we tin select the Hand Tool past pressing the alphabetic character H on the keyboard. To apply the Bird'due south Eye View, press and hold the letter H. It won't work past holding the spacebar to temporarily access the Hand Tool, and you lot need to concur H even if the Hand Tool is already agile in the toolbar.

With the H primal downwardly, click and hold on your paradigm. Photoshop will zoom the image out and so it fits entirely on the screen. And you'll see a rectangle which represents the area you'll zoom in to next. Drag the rectangle over the new surface area you want to inspect.

How to use Birds Eye View in Photoshop

Hold H, click and concur on the image to zoom out, and drag the rectangle over a different area.

Release your mouse push, and Photoshop instantly zooms in on that expanse, at the same zoom level yous were at previously (so in my example, 200%).

Every bit long as the H central is still down, yous can keep clicking and holding on the image to zoom out, dragging the rectangle to a different area, and then releasing your mouse button to zoom back in.

Zooming in on a different area using Birds Eye View in Photoshop.

Release your mouse push button to zoom back on.

Selecting the Fit on Screen and 100% views from the toolbar

Here'due south i last tip. If you ever need to spring to the Fit on Screen or 100% views only can't remember their keyboard shortcuts, y'all can rapidly admission them from the toolbar.

Double-click on the Manus Tool in the toolbar for Fit on Screen. Or double-click on the Zoom Tool to jump to 100%.

Double-click the Hand Tool for the Fit on Screen view or the Zoom Tool for 100 percent.

Double-click the Hand Tool for the Fit on Screen view or the Zoom Tool for 100%.

Where to go side by side...

And there we have information technology! In this lesson, we learned how to zoom and pan a unmarried image in Photoshop. In the next lesson, we'll learn how to navigate multiple open images at once!

Y'all can jump to any of my other lessons in this Navigating Images in Photoshop chapter. Or visit my Photoshop Nuts section for more topics!