Select the layer, shape, path, or selection you want to transform in the Layers panel.
Last updated on
Sep 28, 2026
Learn how to apply scaling, rotation, skewing, distortion, perspective, and warp transformations in a single continuous operation in Adobe Photoshop on desktop.
Free Transform combines multiple transformation types into a single operation. Use it to resize, rotate, or reshape pixel-based layers, vector shapes, paths, and selections without switching between separate commands.
For advanced content-aware resizing, use Content-Aware Scale instead. For complex mesh-based deformations, use the Puppet Warp tool.
By default, when you drag a corner handle, Photoshop scales proportionally. The Maintain aspect ratio icon is ON in the Options bar. Select Shift while transforming to toggle between proportional and non-proportional scaling. Photoshop remembers your last scaling behavior setting and applies it when you launch the application.
Enter Free Transform mode
Select Edit > Free Transform, or press Ctrl + T (Windows) or Command + T (macOS).
Alternatively, select Show Transform Controls in the Options bar when using the Move tool for pixel-based content or the Path Selection tool for vector content. This displays the transform bounding box whenever you select a transformable element.
Apply transformations
To scale proportionally, drag a corner handle with the Maintain aspect ratio icon turned ON in the Options bar.
To scale non-proportionally, turn OFF the maintain aspect ratio dialog, then drag a corner or a side handle.
To rotate, move the pointer outside the bounding border until it becomes a curved two-sided arrow, then drag.
- Select Shift to constrain rotation to 15-degree increments.
- To skew, select Ctrl + Shift (Windows) or Command + Shift (macOS) and drag a side handle.
- To distort freely, select Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS) and drag any handle.
- To apply perspective, select Ctrl + Alt + Shift (Windows) or Command + Option + Shift (macOS) and drag a corner handle.
To move the entire selection, drag inside the bounding box. Enter values in the X and Y text boxes in the Options bar for precise positioning.
Enter percentages in the Width (W) and Height (H) fields to scale numerically or enter degrees in the rotation field to rotate by a specific angle. Select the Link icon between Width and Height to maintain the aspect ratio when entering values.
Adjust the reference point.
Select any square on the reference point locator in the Options bar to change the transformation center point.
Alternatively, drag the center point directly on the canvas to reposition it.
All scaling, rotation, and other transformations occur relative to this reference point. Moving it to a corner causes rotations to pivot around that corner instead of the center.
Apply warp transformations
Select the Switch Between Free Transform And Warp Modes button in the Options bar.
Drag control points to manipulate the shape or select a preset style from the Warp dropdown menu in the Options bar.
After choosing a warp style, drag the square handles to adjust the intensity and direction of the warp effect.
Commit or cancel the transformation
To apply the transformation, press Enter (Windows) or Return (macOS), select the Commit button in the Options bar, or click outside the canvas area.
To cancel the transformation, press Esc or click the Cancel button in the Options bar.
When transforming bitmap content, the image becomes slightly less sharp each time you commit a transformation. Apply multiple transformations in a single operation before committing to minimize quality loss. Smart Objects preserve image quality through repeated transformations.
To revert to the legacy transform behavior where dragging a corner handle scales non-proportionally by default, select Edit > Preferences > General (Windows) or Photoshop > Preferences > General (macOS), then turn on Legacy Free Transform.
To correct perspective distortion while cropping, use the Perspective Crop tool.
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