How to Use Photopea Like Photoshop (Beginner Tutorial)

🎨 How to Use Photopea Like Photoshop: The Ultimate Beginner Tutorial

Tired of expensive software subscriptions? Looking for a powerful alternative to Adobe Photoshop that runs right in your web browser? Meet Photopea! It’s the free, easy-to-use, and incredibly capable online photo editor that beginners and pros alike are raving about.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from navigating the interface (which looks strikingly like Photoshop!) to performing essential editing tasks. Let's start creating professional-grade visuals today!

What is Photopea? (Short and Clear)

Photopea is an advanced, free online image editor that can handle both raster (like JPGs and PNGs) and vector graphics. It is browser-based, meaning you don't have to download or install any heavy software—you just open a tab and start working!

Its biggest selling point is its incredible similarity to Photoshop. It features layers, masks, smart objects, adjustment layers, and can even open and save native PSD (Photoshop Document) files, making it the perfect free alternative.

Photopea vs. Photoshop Comparison Table

Photopea is often called a "Photoshop clone," and for good reason. Here’s a quick head-to-head comparison to help you understand the differences:

Feature	Photopea	Adobe Photoshop
Price	Free (Ad-supported) or Premium (Ad-free)	Subscription required (e.g., ~$22.99/month)
Platform	Web Browser (Runs on any OS: Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS)	Desktop Software (Windows, Mac) & iPad App
Interface	Very similar to Photoshop, beginner-friendly	Industry-standard, feature-rich, can be complex
Core Features	Layers, Masks, Selections, Filters, Basic AI (BG Remove)	All of Photopea’s features + Advanced AI (Generative Fill), 3D, extensive plugins
Best For	Beginners, students, quick edits, budget-conscious users, Chromebook users	Professional graphic designers, photographers, complex tasks, and high-volume work

Tip: Since Photopea runs entirely in your browser, its performance depends heavily on your computer’s hardware. For big, complex projects, a strong internet connection and good computer are helpful.

🚀 Getting Started: Opening and Importing

Starting your first project in Photopea is incredibly fast because there’s nothing to install!

Step 1: Open Photopea

Simply go to www.photopea.com in your favorite web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.). The interface loads instantly!

Step 2: Import Your Image

You have three easy ways to get your image into Photopea:

File > Open: The classic way. A file explorer window will open, letting you select an image file (JPG, PNG, PSD, etc.) from your computer.
Drag and Drop: The fastest way! Drag an image file directly from your desktop folder and drop it onto the Photopea canvas.
New Project: Choose File > New to create a blank canvas. This is perfect for designing logos or social media graphics, as it offers presets for sizes like Instagram Post, YouTube Thumbnail, etc.

💻 Understanding the Photopea Interface

If you've ever looked at Photoshop, Photopea’s layout will feel instantly familiar. It is divided into three main areas:

1. The Toolbar (Left Side)

This vertical bar holds all your essential tools. Clicking on a tool often reveals a small arrow in the corner, indicating that there are more related tools hidden underneath (e.g., the Crop Tool also hides the Perspective Crop Tool).

Move Tool (V): Used to move layers and objects around the canvas.
Selection Tools (M, L): Used to select specific areas of your image for editing (e.g., Rectangular Select, Magic Wand).
Brush Tool (B): For painting, drawing, or masking.
Eraser Tool (E): For removing parts of a layer.
Type Tool (T): For adding text.
Zoom Tool (Z): For zooming in and out of your project.

2. The Layers Panel (Right Side)

This is arguably the most important panel for non-destructive editing. It manages all the elements (images, text, shapes, effects) that make up your image.

Layers: Every element (text, image, adjustment) is a separate layer. This allows you to edit one element without affecting others.
Visibility (Eyeball Icon): Click the eyeball next to a layer to hide or show it.
Creating Layers: The icon that looks like a sheet of paper at the bottom of the panel creates a new, empty layer.

3. Menu Options (Top Bar)

Just like any standard program, this contains menus for core functionality:

File: New, Open, Save, Export.
Edit: Undo, Redo, Free Transform.
Image: Adjustments (like Brightness/Contrast), Image Size, Canvas Size.
Layer: Options for manipulating layers (like Duplicate, Merge Down).
Filter: Access various artistic and utility filters (like Gaussian Blur).

⚙️ Beginner Editing Tutorials: Step-by-Step

Now, let's dive into the most common beginner editing tasks!

1. How to Crop or Resize an Image

To change the dimensions of your entire image:

Select the Crop Tool (C) from the left Toolbar.
Click and drag the handles around the edge of the image to define your new crop area.
To choose a specific aspect ratio (like 1:1 for Instagram), select a preset from the options bar that appears at the top of the screen when the Crop Tool is active.
Once you’re happy, press Enter (or the checkmark icon at the top) to apply the crop.

Tip: If you only want to change the size without cropping, go to Image > Image Size and input your desired width and height in pixels or inches.

2. How to Remove a Background

Photopea has a fantastic one-click background removal feature:

Make sure the layer you want to edit (the subject of the photo) is selected in the Layers panel.
Go to Select > Remove BG (Remove Background).
Photopea’s AI will analyze the image, mask the subject, and remove the background automatically! The result is a new layer with the background area made transparent.

Tip: If the automatic removal isn't perfect, use the Magic Wand Tool (W) or Lasso Tool (L) to manually select any remaining background areas and press Delete.

3. How to Add Text to an Image

Adding text is simple and allows for full font customization:

Select the Type Tool (T) from the left Toolbar.
Click on your image where you want the text to start.
Type your desired text.
While the text layer is selected, use the options bar at the top (or the Character panel on the right) to change the font, size, color, and alignment.
Use the Move Tool (V) to drag the text layer to its final position.

4. How to Adjust Brightness/Contrast

This is a classic photo correction that uses an Adjustment Layer, which is a powerful non-destructive technique:

In the Layers panel, click the New Adjustment Layer icon (it looks like a half-black, half-white circle).
Select Brightness / Contrast. A new panel for the adjustment will pop up.
Drag the Brightness and Contrast sliders to your desired levels.
Because this is an Adjustment Layer, you can come back and re-adjust the settings anytime without harming your original photo!

💾 How to Save and Export Your Images

You’ve finished your masterpiece—now it’s time to share it!

1. Saving Your Working File (PSD)

To save your project with all the layers, adjustments, and text editable for later, save it as a Photopea/Photoshop file:

Go to File > Save As PSD.
This will download a .psd file to your computer.

2. Exporting the Final Image (JPG, PNG)

When you are ready to use the final image, you need to export it in a common format:

Go to File > Export As.
Choose your desired format:
- JPG: Best for photographs and images without transparency. Offers smaller file sizes.
- PNG: Best for graphics, logos, and images that require a transparent background.
- PDF/GIF/SVG: Other common options for print or animation.

Tip: When exporting to JPG, a new window will appear. Aim for a Quality of 70% to 85% for a good balance between small file size and high image quality for the web.

🛑 Common Beginner Mistakes + Simple Fixes

Mistake	What it Looks Like	Simple Fix
Editing the wrong layer	You try to move text but move the background image instead.	Look at the Layers Panel and ensure the desired layer (e.g., "Text 1") is highlighted before trying to edit it.
Not rasterizing text	Filters (like blur) don't apply to a text layer.	Right-click on the text layer and select Rasterize. This converts the text into a fixed image layer, allowing filters to work.
Saving as JPG with transparency	You remove the background, but the saved JPG image has a white or black background.	JPG format does not support transparency. You must Export As > PNG to keep the transparent background.
Accidentally merging layers	You only have one layer left when you wanted to keep things separate.	Use Edit > Step Backward (Ctrl+Alt+Z / Cmd+Option+Z) right away, or check the History Panel (right side) to go back to a previous state.

🎯 Who Should Use Photopea?

Photopea is a fantastic tool because it lowers the barrier to entry for digital design. It’s perfect for:

Students & Educators: Free access to powerful tools for assignments and classroom materials.
Freelancers (Beginner): Start taking design projects without the upfront cost of Adobe Creative Cloud.
Small Business Owners: Quickly design social media posts, edit product photos, and create basic marketing materials.
Content Creators: Design YouTube thumbnails, blog banners, and stream overlays for free.
Hobbyists: Edit family photos and create personal projects without the commitment of a paid subscription.

Start practicing today—you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve with this free, powerful online editor!

FAQ: Photopea Quick Answers

Is Photopea completely free?

Yes, Photopea is free to use and fully functional because it is supported by advertisements displayed on the side of the workspace. You can purchase a premium subscription to remove the ads and gain extra storage/support features, but this is optional.

Can Photopea open PSD files?

Absolutely! This is one of Photopea's strongest features. It can open, edit, and save files in the native PSD format, including support for most Photoshop features like layers, smart objects, and layer styles.

Does Photopea work on mobile?

Yes, Photopea runs in the web browser on tablets and smartphones (iOS/Android). However, for the best and most precise experience, using it on a desktop or laptop with a mouse and keyboard is highly recommended.

How to fix lagging in Photopea?

Lagging is often caused by large files or many layers. To fix this:

Close unnecessary browser tabs and applications.
Reduce the image size (Image > Image Size).
Merge layers that you don't need to edit separately (Right-click layer > Merge Down).
Try a different web browser, as some perform better with graphics-intensive web apps.

This video provides an excellent, concise overview of all the basic tools and features you'll need to start using Photopea effectively.