5 Easy Ways to Select Pixels in Adobe Photoshop

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This wikiHow teaches you how to select an area of pixels in Adobe Photoshop for Windows or macOS.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Selecting a Square or Rectangle

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    It’s in the All Apps area of the Start menu (Windows) or in the Applications folder (macOS).
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s the second icon from the top of the toolbar that runs along the left side of the screen. A list of selection tools will appear.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the mouse at the location where you want to start selecting, then drag it until the desired area is selected.
    • To include or remove pixels from the selection, click the Select menu, select Refine Edge , then choose an option.
    • To deselect an area, press Ctrl + D .
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Selecting an Elliptical Shape

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    It’s in the All Apps area of the Start menu (Windows) or in the Applications folder (macOS).
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s the second icon from the top of the toolbar that runs along the left side of the screen. A list of selection tools will appear.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the mouse at the location where you want to start selecting, then drag it until the desired area is selected.
    • To include or remove pixels from the selection, click the Select menu, select Refine Edge , then choose an option.
    • To deselect an area, press Ctrl + D .
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Selecting an Irregular Area

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    It’s in the All Apps area of the Start menu (Windows) or in the Applications folder (macOS).
    • Use this tool to freehand-draw your selection area.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s the third icon from the top of the icon bar that runs along the left side of the screen.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-14.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the mouse where you want to start making your selection, then drag the line over the shape of the pixels. Keep clicking points on the edge of the desired selection until you’ve made it back to the first pixel.
    • To include or remove pixels from the selection, click the Select menu, select Refine Edge , then choose an option.
    • To deselect an area, press Ctrl + D .
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Selecting All Pixels

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    It’s in the All Apps area of the Start menu (Windows) or in the Applications folder (macOS).
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-16.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-17.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This selects the layer. [1]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-18.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s at the top of the screen. A menu will expand.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-19.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    All pixels on the current layer are now selected.
    • To include or remove pixels from the selection, click the Select menu, select Refine Edge , then choose an option.
    • To deselect an area, press Ctrl + D .
    6. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Making a Quick Selection

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-20.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s in the All Apps area of the Start menu (Windows) or in the Applications folder (macOS). [2]
    • Use this method to select the most prominent subject in the file.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-21.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-21.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-21.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-21.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-22.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-22.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-22.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-22.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s at the top of the screen. A menu will expand.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-23.jpg\/v4-460px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-23.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-23.jpg\/v4-728px-Select-Pixels-in-Photoshop-Step-23.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This selects all pixels of the image’s main subject. [3]
    • To include or remove pixels from the selection, click the Select menu, select Refine Edge , then choose an option.
    • To deselect an area, press Ctrl + D .
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      References

      1. ↑ https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/making-selections.html
      2. ↑ https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/making-quick-selections.html
      3. ↑ https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/adjusting-pixel-selections.html#adjust_selections_manually

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