Edit photos with Canva photo editor
Canva’s photo editor helps you enhance, transform, and refine images for your designs. You can make quick adjustments, remove distractions, change backgrounds, apply filters, and use AI tools to make anything from subtle touch-ups to bigger creative changes.
Use Canva's photo editor to transform your images
- Go to canva.com and log in. Open the photo editor in one of these ways:
- From the homepage: Select Photo editor, then upload a photo or choose one from your files.
- From a design: Open a design, select a photo, then select Edit in the toolbar.
- From the Quick Create/Create tab: From the homepage, open Quick Create or the Create tab, then choose Photo editor. Learn more in Design from scratch.
- Explore the different key editing tools, such as:
- Magic Edit: Add, remove, or replace objects in your photo.
- Magic Layers: Select and move elements within an image.
- BG Remover: Erase backgrounds with a single click.
- BG Generator: Generate or replace the background of your image.
- Upscale: Improve the quality of low-resolution images.
- Style Match: Apply ready-made styles to your photos and graphics.
- Image to Video: Turn a still image into a short video clip with motion.
- Adjust: Adjust brightness, contrast, and more.
- Filters: Apply preset looks to your image.
- Crop: Trim your photo instantly.
After editing, add your image to your design or download it directly.
Learn more about photo editing features
- Remove photo and video backgrounds
- Generate backgrounds for photos
- Erase or retouch photos
- Expand images
- Use Magic Edit to add, replace, and modify photos
- Make your photo selectable and customizable with Magic Grab
- Select and change the text in your photos with Grab Text
- Apply or remove filters from photos or videos in Canva
- Adjust image and video settings
- Instantly crop photos
- Transform your images into videos
- Upscale low-quality images with AI
- Copy and match graphic styles
- Turn images into editable layers with Magic Layer
- Blur photos
- Sharpen your photos with Auto Focus
- Add shadows to photos
- Retouch photos with Photo Editor
Looking for Effects? Features previously found under Effects have been reorganized across the photo editor.
I can't find the effect that I previously used
What can cause this
The photo editor no longer has a single Effects section. The features that used to be under Effects are now organized across the editor.
What to do
Here’s where to find the effects you used before:
- Blur, Auto Focus, and Face Retouch: Under Tools
- Duotone: Under Filters (scroll to the end)
- Shadows: In its own section
To get started:
- Select the image in your design.
- From the editor toolbar, select Edit.
- In the side panel, open Tools, Filters, or Shadows.
Use photo editing apps in the editor
Discover exciting image editing tools right in our photo editor. Scroll through the app sections to find the apps listed below:
Can I revert edits if I make a mistake?
Yes! You can use the Undo button at the top of the editor to reverse recent changes or select Reset in the Adjust tab to return to the original photo settings.
Why can’t I access certain features?
Some advanced features, like Magic Studio, may be limited to specific Canva plans. Check your current plan to see which tools are available.
“Edit image” Button Missing
If you don’t see the Edit button, it may be restricted by your team's brand controls. Contact your team admin for assistance.
Slow Loading Times
If tools or effects load slowly, ensure your internet connection is stable and consider closing extra browser tabs.
BG Remover Not Working
If BG Remover is unavailable, check if your Canva plan includes this feature.
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