Change the canvas size

Last updated on Sep 28, 2026

Add or remove workspace around your image without affecting the image itself in Adobe Photoshop on desktop.

Use the Canvas Size command when you need to create borders, add room for design elements, or adjust your composition area. This changes the editable workspace while preserving your image's pixel count.

To change image dimensions or resolution, learn about Resize images. To remove portions of an image, use the Crop tool.

Adjust canvas dimensions

Select Image > Canvas Size.

In the Canvas Size dialog, enter new dimensions in the Width and Height fields, then choose your unit of measurement.

To add or subtract space instead of setting absolute dimensions, select Relative to current dimension and enter values. Use positive values to increase the canvas size or negative values to decrease it.

Select a square in the Anchor grid to position your image within the new canvas. The selected square shows where your image stays fixed.

Choose an option from the Canvas Extension Color menu to fill the added canvas area.

Select OK.

Canvas extension color options

When you increase the canvas size, Photoshop fills the new space based on your selection:

  • Foreground: Uses the current foreground color from the Tools panel.
  • Background: Uses the current background color from the Tools panel.
  • White, Black, or Gray: Uses the specified neutral color.
  • Other: Opens the Color Picker to select a custom color.

You can also select the color swatch next to the Canvas extension color menu to open the Color Picker directly. The Canvas extension color menu appears only when your document contains a Background layer. Documents with transparent layers show transparency in added canvas areas.

Create a photo frame using Actions

Select Window > Actions.

Select the Actions panel menu icon and then choose Frames.

Select one of the frame actions, such as Wood Frame or Photo Corners.

Select the Play Selection button at the bottom of the Actions panel to apply the frame.

The frame action automatically increases your canvas size and applies styled borders around your image. For best results, work on a duplicate of your original image. Use Automate tasks with actions to learn how to record and use actions.