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How do I size a layer in Photoshop?

Published in Photoshop Layer Resizing 3 mins read

To size a layer in Photoshop, the most efficient and commonly used method is to utilize the Free Transform tool, which allows for quick and precise adjustments to a layer's dimensions and orientation.

How to Size a Layer Using Free Transform

The Free Transform tool is your go-to for resizing, rotating, skewing, distorting, and applying perspective to a layer. When it comes to sizing, it provides interactive handles that you can drag to modify the layer's dimensions.

Accessing Free Transform Quickly

To instantly access the Free Transform tool and bring up the sizing handles so you can adjust the size of your layer, use a simple keyboard shortcut:

  • On Windows: Press Ctrl + T
  • On Mac: Press Command + T

This shortcut is incredibly fast and will place a bounding box with eight control points (sizing handles) around your selected layer, ready for adjustment.

Steps to Resize Your Layer

Follow these steps to accurately size your layer:

  1. Select the Layer: In the Layers panel, click on the layer you wish to resize. Ensure it's not a background layer (if it is, you'll need to convert it to a regular layer first, typically by double-clicking it and clicking 'OK').
  2. Activate Free Transform: Press Ctrl + T (Windows) or Command + T (Mac). A bounding box will appear around your layer.
  3. Adjust Size:
    • Click and drag any of the corner or side handles of the bounding box to resize the layer.
    • To maintain proportions: Hold down the Shift key while dragging a corner handle. This prevents the layer from becoming stretched or squashed.
    • To resize from the center: Hold down the Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) key while dragging a corner handle. For proportional resizing from the center, hold Shift + Alt (Windows) or Shift + Option (Mac) simultaneously.
  4. Confirm Transformation: Once you are satisfied with the new size, you must commit the transformation. You can do this by:
    • Pressing Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac).
    • Clicking the checkmark icon in the Options bar at the top of the screen.
    • Selecting another tool (Photoshop will prompt you to apply or discard the transformation).

Practical Tips for Resizing Layers

  • Numerical Precision: While Free Transform is visual, you can also enter precise width (W) and height (H) percentages or pixel values directly into the Options bar after activating Free Transform. Click the link icon between W and H to lock proportions for numerical input.
  • Zoom In/Out: For very fine adjustments, zoom into your canvas (Ctrl/Cmd + +) while resizing. For large adjustments where the bounding box extends beyond the canvas, zoom out (Ctrl/Cmd + -).
  • Reset Transform: If you make a mistake before committing, you can press Esc or click the cancel icon (circle with a slash) in the Options bar to revert the layer to its original state before the transformation.

For more detailed information and visual guides on using various Photoshop tools, you can explore the official Adobe Photoshop help resources.