Crop a Single Layer in Photoshop (2 Ways: Delete or Mask)
Cropping only one layer can’t be done with the Crop Tool because it affects the whole canvas. Instead, use a selection to target the layer and either delete the unwanted pixels or hide them with a layer mask. Here are both methods and how to adjust or move the result.
Step-by-step instructions
Select the area you want to keep on the target layer
Select the layer you want to crop in the Layers panel.
Choose the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) and drag a selection around the keep area.
Go to Select → Transform Selection to refine; unlink Width/Height in the Options bar, drag handles, then click the checkmark.
Method 1 (destructive): Delete pixels outside the selection
Go to Select → Inverse.
Press Delete to remove the outside pixels on the active layer.
Go to Select → Deselect.
Note: This permanently removes pixels and can’t be adjusted later without undoing.
Method 2 (non‑destructive): Use a layer mask
With the same selection active on the same layer, click Add Layer Mask at the bottom of the Layers panel.
Photoshop hides everything outside the selection on the mask (white = visible, black = hidden).
Shift‑click the mask thumbnail to toggle it; Alt/Option‑click to view the mask on canvas.
Edit the crop later by resizing the mask
Click the link icon between the layer and mask to unlink them.
Select the mask thumbnail (white border indicates it’s active).
Go to Edit → Free Transform; unlink Width/Height in the Options bar, drag handles to resize the visible area; click the checkmark.
Click between the thumbnails to relink when done.
Move the cropped image correctly
Select the Move Tool (V).
Click the layer thumbnail to move the image; click the mask thumbnail to move the reveal window.
Relink the layer and mask to move both together.
Optional: Add a stroke and drop shadow
Click the fx icon → Stroke → Color: White → Position: Inside → adjust Size.
Add Drop Shadow; drag on canvas to set Angle/Distance → OK.
