How to Crop Images in Notion - 6 Easy Steps

Table of contents

• 1. Hover over the target image and click the ‘Crop image’ icon.
• 2. Crop images in Notion
• 1. Click and drag along the edge lines
• 2. Select from preset shapes or sizes
• 3. Save the cropped image
• 4. Refine your crop
• 5. Resize the cropped image
• 6. Download the cropped image (optional)
• How to crop images in a circle in Notion?
• Why can’t I see the crop icon over my Notion image?
• Best practices for Notion image cropping
• Common mistakes to avoid when cropping images in Notion
• Practical applications of image cropping in Notion

Let’s discuss the process in detail and show you how to turn this…

into this…

1. Hover over the target image and click the ‘Crop image’ icon.

You’ll find the ‘Crop image’ option under the three-dot menu as well, but that’s a longer process to get the job done.

Either way, once you click on the ‘Crop image’ option, Notion will open the crop interface in a pop-up window.

2. Crop images in Notion

There are two methods to crop an image in Notion:

1. Click and drag along the edge lines

The edge lines are set to ‘Freeform’ by default, allowing you to outline any section of the image without adhering to a fixed aspect ratio.

2. Select from preset shapes or sizes

Notion offers preset configurations for square, rectangle, and circle shapes.

When you choose a preset (e.g., 4:3 aspect ratio), Notion maintains that ratio as you adjust the crop area.

You can toggle between horizontal and vertical orientations using icons next to each preset aspect ratio.

3. Save the cropped image

After adjusting the edge lines to select the desired part of the image, click the save button. This will close the pop-up and return you to your page with the newly cropped image.

4. Refine your crop

If you are not happy with what the image looks like after cropping, you can revisit the cropping interface by clicking the ‘Crop image’ option again.

Readjust the edge lines to achieve your desired crop.

5. Resize the cropped image

If the cropped image is too large for your page, resize it by clicking and dragging the image block’s corner lines. The below screenshot shows a cropped image that’s too large.

We resized the image to fit within the first fold of the screen.

6. Download the cropped image (optional)

If you want to use cropped images elsewhere, click the three-dot icon that appears when you hover over the image and select the ‘Download’ option.

Notion will prompt you to choose a location on your local drive to save the image.

How to crop images in a circle in Notion?

1. Open the crop interface for your Notion image.
2. Locate the preset icon at the top-left of the crop interface screen.
3. Click the preset icon.
4. Select 'Circle' from the options.
5. Notion will insert a circular crop area within the confines of the edge lines.
6. Click and drag through the edge lines to adjust the size of the circle.

Note that the shape remains circular as you resize it, not becoming elliptical.

Why can’t I see the crop icon over my Notion image?

If you don't see the 'Crop image' icon, it's likely because you're working with an embedded image. Download the embedded image and upload it back into Notion to make the ‘Crop image’ icon available.

Best practices for Notion image cropping

• When cropping profile pictures, leave some space around the face for better composition
• Use the 'Duplicate' feature to keep an original copy before cropping. This ensures that if you need to delete the cropped image for some reason, you have another one ready to be edited
• Experiment with different aspect ratios to find what works best for your layout. You might first notice that an image with a 4:3 aspect ratio works well, but later the 7:5 ratio might fit even better
• For images with text, ensure the crop doesn't cut off important information
• Consider using the circle crop for profile pictures to create a cohesive look across your workspace
• If you need a specific size, crop slightly larger and then resize the image block

Common mistakes to avoid when cropping images in Notion

• Overcropping: Cutting out too much can lose important context or details
• Ignoring aspect ratio: This can lead to distorted images when resized
• Using low-resolution originals: This can result in pixelated images after cropping
• Inconsistent cropping: Varying crop styles can make your pages look disorganized

Practical applications of image cropping in Notion

You might already know why you want to crop a Notion image, this section intends to explore other use-cases that might be relevant to you.

• Creating uniform thumbnails for a media database
• Focusing on key areas of charts or graphs for presentations
• Standardizing team member photos for a company directory
• Highlighting specific parts of screenshots for step-by-step tutorials
• Removing unwanted backgrounds from product images in a catalog
• Zeroing in on specific details in architectural or design plans
• Creating consistent header images for different sections of your workspace

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