Retouch images with the Clone Stamp tool

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Learn how to copy pixels from one area of an image to another using the Clone Stamp tool in Adobe Photoshop.

Select the Clone Stamp tool from the toolbar.

In the Options bar, adjust:

Mode: Control how cloned pixels blend with the target (for example, Normal fully replaces pixels, Multiply darkens, Lighten only replaces darker areas).

Opacity: Set the transparency of the cloned pixels. Lower values create more subtle retouching.

Flow: Control the speed at which paint builds up, allowing smoother, gradual blending.

Select the alignment and sampling settings:

  • Select Aligned to paint the most recent sampling point.
  • Deselect Aligned to restart sampling from the original point each time.
  • In the Sample menu, select a source:
    • Current Layer: Clone from the active layer only.
    • Current & Below: Clone from the active layer and the layers beneath.
    • All Layers: Clone from all visible layers.

Select Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (macOS) in the image to set the source point.

Note

The Clone Stamp tool does not work on adjustment layers.

Drag over the target area to apply the cloned pixels.