How To Resize Images in Snapseed

Snapseed is Google’s answer to a mobile Photoshop and does a fantastic job of editing images within the confines of a mobile phone. It has a bunch of tools from filters to perspectives, vignettes, and more. It is a very capable image editor that works on both Android and iOS.

With this image editing app, you can do a lot of professional editing right from your phone, for free, and without watermarks. In this article, we’ll show you how to resize an image in Snapseed as well as some other useful tips and tricks.

Resizing images in Snapseed

The app contains a lot of tools for adding filters, Looks, and more but the resizing options are limited. You can crop or expand your image but there is no resize option. You can export when you save an image which allows a modicum of resizing but there is no actual resize option like there is in GIMP. That is a shame but not a showstopper as there are alternatives.

Resize an Image in Snapseed

Your options are limited when it comes to resizing. You can set the maximum image size for exporting and sharing and modify the file size and quality but that’s about it.

1. Open Snapseed and select Settings.
   
2. Select Image Sizing and adjust it to your needs.
   
3. Select Format and quality and do the same.
   

Your options are limited here. Image sizing is restricted to 800px, 1,366px, 1,920px, 2,000px and 4,000px. Instagram uses 1920px so you can perform basic resizing from within the app but not much else.

Format and quality are more about file size than image size and gives you the option to downsample to 95%, 80% or to save as a PNG.

Crop an image in Snapseed

Cropping allows you to change the composition of your image so the subject stands out more or lets you remove distractions from the main subject. Cropping, like many tools within Snapseed requires more care in its use rather than operation as it is simple to use but difficult to get right.

1. Open an image you want to crop in Snapseed. Tap ‘Tools’ at the bottom of the screen.
   
2. Select ‘Crop.’
   
3. Drag the corners of the crop square into position and select the checkmark in the bottom right to set it in place.

You will see a bunch of options for aspect ratio including Free, Original, 1:1, DIN, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 7:5, or 16:9. Free gives you carte blanche to use the crop function as you see fit while the others will fit to their corresponding ratio and let you drag the crop square wherever you need it.

Expand an image in Snapseed

Expanding images is the opposite of cropping. If you weren’t able to compose the shot fast enough or it just didn’t turn out as you hoped, you can add space around the subject to place the subject in a different position within the frame.

Either way, you can expand an image with Snapseed like this:

1. Open an image you want to crop in Snapseed.
2. Tap ‘Tools’ just as we did above.
   
3. Select the Expand tool from the menu.
   
4. Use the square overlay to select where and how you want to expand your image.
   
5. Select the checkmark when you’re happy with the finished product.

A similar principle applies here as to crop. You move the square to the position you want on the image and swipe out on the area you want to expand. Use the Smart option at the bottom until you get used to using the Expand tool. Again, the tool itself is easy enough to use but getting the edits right takes a lot longer!

Frequently Asked Questions

We have more answers to your questions about Snapseed in this section.

What is the difference between resizing and cropping an image?

When you crop an image, you essentially change the pixel size. Resizing an image can make the image clearer or even make the file size smaller. When you resize an image, you don’t cut out any parts of the image, you simply change the aspect ratio of it.

Cropping an image means you cut out parts of it. Whether you want to change the focal point, or you want to get rid of something in the background, this is what cropping is for.

There are other photo editing apps with a resize function that you can find in the Apple and Google Play Store. Your mileage may vary though depending on how often you want to resize. If you go this route, you can upload the perfect resized photo to Snapseed.

Know of any other Snapseed tricks we might want to know about? Know of any workarounds for the lack of resize option? Tell us about it below if you do!