How to Create Rounded Corners on Images in Photoshop

Rounded corners on images create a polished, modern aesthetic that enhances visual appeal in web design, social media graphics, mobile apps, and print materials. Whether you're crafting a sleek website banner or a professional Instagram post, rounded corners soften sharp edges and align with contemporary design trends. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore multiple methods to create perfect rounded corners in Adobe Photoshop, suitable for beginners and advanced users alike.

Why Use Rounded Corners? Rounded corners improve user experience by making images less angular, blending seamlessly into modern UI designs. They’re especially popular in responsive web design, where smooth edges align with mobile-friendly aesthetics. Photoshop offers flexible, non-destructive techniques to achieve this effect, allowing you to edit or revert changes without losing image quality.

Design Insight:

Rounded corners are often used in Material Design, flat design, and minimalistic aesthetics to convey friendliness and approachability. A corner radius of 10-30px is common for web and social media graphics.

Table of Content

Introduction to Rounded Corners
Method 1: Using the Rectangle Tool (Non-Destructive)
Method 2: Using the Rounded Rectangle Shape
Method 3: Using Layer Masks
Saving Your Rounded Corner Image
Best Practices for Rounded Corners
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion

Method 1: Using the Rectangle Tool (Non-Destructive)

This method uses Photoshop’s Rectangle Tool to create a vector-based mask, offering flexibility to adjust corner radius without altering the original image. It’s ideal for projects requiring non-destructive editing.

Step 1: Open Your Image

Launch Photoshop and open your image by navigating to File > Open and selecting your image file (e.g., JPG or PNG). Ensure the image is high-resolution to avoid pixelation.

Note: If your image is too small, upscaling may degrade quality. Use images with at least 72 DPI for web or 300 DPI for print.

Step 2: Convert the Background Layer

If your image is locked as a Background layer (visible in the Layers panel), double-click it and click OK to convert it to a regular layer. This allows editing and masking.

Step 3: Select the Rectangle Tool

From the toolbar, select the Rectangle Tool (shortcut U). In the options bar at the top, set the tool mode to Path to create a vector path rather than a shape or pixels.

Tool: Rectangle Tool (U) > Mode: Path

Step 4: Set Corner Radius

In the options bar, locate the Corner Radius fields (four boxes for each corner). Enter a value (e.g., 20px) for uniform rounding. Higher values (e.g., 50px) create more pronounced curves.

Tip: For non-uniform corners, enter different values for each corner (e.g., 20px top-left, 10px bottom-right).

Step 5: Draw Your Rectangle

Click and drag to draw a rectangle over your image, aligning it with the image’s dimensions. The corners will automatically reflect your radius settings. Adjust the path using the Direct Selection Tool (A) if needed.

Image: Screenshot showing a rounded rectangle path over an image in Photoshop.

Step 6: Create a Vector Mask

With the path selected, go to Layer > Vector Mask > Current Path. This applies the rounded rectangle as a mask, hiding the image’s corners while preserving the original pixels.

Layer > Vector Mask > Current Path

Pro Tip:

This method is non-destructive, meaning you can edit the mask or adjust the corner radius later by selecting the path with the Direct Selection Tool (A) and modifying the radius in the options bar.

Method 2: Using the Rounded Rectangle Shape

This simpler method uses a shape layer and clipping mask, perfect for quick edits or when you want a colored background behind the rounded image.

Step 1: Create a New Layer

Open your image and click the New Layer button in the Layers panel to create a new layer above the image layer.

Step 2: Draw a Rounded Rectangle

Select the Rounded Rectangle Tool (press U to cycle through shape tools). In the options bar, set the mode to Shape and enter a corner radius (e.g., 20px).

Tool: Rounded Rectangle Tool (U) > Mode: Shape > Radius: 20px

Step 3: Fill with Color

Draw the rectangle over the image area you want to keep. The shape will fill with the current foreground color. You can change this later if needed.

Note: Ensure the rectangle matches the image dimensions for a precise fit.

Step 4: Create a Clipping Mask

Position the image layer above the shape layer. Right-click the image layer and select Create Clipping Mask or use Alt+click (Windows) / Option+click (Mac) between the layers in the Layers panel. The image will now show only through the rounded rectangle.

Layer > Create Clipping Mask

Step 5: Adjust Fill (Optional)

To show only the image with rounded corners (no background), select the shape layer and set its Fill to 0% in the Layers panel. This makes the shape transparent, revealing only the clipped image.

Image: Screenshot showing a clipped image with rounded corners in Photoshop.

Pro Tip:

Use a colored fill or gradient on the shape layer to create a custom background behind the rounded image, ideal for branding or creative designs.

Method 3: Using Layer Masks

This method offers precise control by combining selections and layer masks, suitable for complex images or when you need to fine-tune the mask manually.

Step 1: Prepare Your Image

Open your image and unlock the Background layer by double-clicking it in the Layers panel and clicking OK.

Step 2: Create a Rounded Rectangle Selection

Select the Rounded Rectangle Tool (U) in Path mode. Draw a rectangle over the image, setting the desired corner radius in the options bar.

Tool: Rounded Rectangle Tool (U) > Mode: Path > Radius: 20px

Step 3: Convert Path to Selection

With the path active, press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Command+Return (Mac) to convert the path to a selection.

Ctrl+Enter (Windows) / Command+Return (Mac)

Step 4: Add Layer Mask

With the selection active, click the Add Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers panel. This masks out everything outside the rounded rectangle, leaving only the selected area visible.

Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection

Pro Tip:

For a softer edge, feather the selection before adding the mask. Go to Select > Modify > Feather and apply a 1-2px feather for a subtle transition.

Select > Modify > Feather > 1-2px

Saving Your Rounded Corner Image

For Web Use

Go to File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy). Choose PNG-24 for transparent backgrounds (ideal for rounded corners) or JPEG for opaque backgrounds. Adjust quality to balance file size and clarity.

File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy) > PNG-24 or JPEG

Note: PNG-24 preserves transparency, ensuring rounded corners blend seamlessly into web backgrounds.

For Print or High-Quality Use

Save as a PSD to preserve layers for future edits, or use File > Save As and select TIFF or high-quality JPEG for print-ready files.

File > Save As > PSD, TIFF, or JPEG

Pro Tip:

When saving for web, use Photoshop’s Export As option for modern formats like WebP, which offers smaller file sizes with comparable quality to PNG or JPEG.

File > Export > Export As > WebP

Tips for Rounded Corners in Photoshop

Use Non-Destructive Methods: Prefer vector masks or clipping masks (Methods 1 and 2) to preserve the original image for future edits.
Match Corner Radius to Design: Align the radius with your project’s style guide (e.g., 8px for subtle rounding, 50px for circular effects).
Check Resolution: Use high-resolution images (300 DPI for print, 72 DPI for web) to avoid pixelation, especially with larger radii.
Test Transparency: When saving as PNG, ensure the background is transparent to maintain rounded corners on different backgrounds.
Accessibility: For web use, add alt text to images with rounded corners to describe their content for screen readers.
Combine Effects: Enhance rounded images with drop shadows, strokes, or gradients for a more dynamic look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I adjust the rounded corners after creating them?

Yes, in Method 1 (Vector Mask), use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the path and adjust the corner radius in the options bar. For Method 2, edit the shape layer’s properties.

Tool: Direct Selection Tool (A) > Adjust Corner Radius

Why are my rounded corners pixelated?

Pixelation occurs with low-resolution images or when scaling up. Use high-resolution source images (at least 72 DPI for web, 300 DPI for print) or vector-based methods (Methods 1 or 2).

Can I create different radii for each corner?

Yes, with the Rounded Rectangle Tool, set individual corner radii in the options bar. Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to fine-tune specific corners.

Tool: Rounded Rectangle Tool (U) > Set Individual Corner Radii

How do I ensure rounded corners work on transparent backgrounds?

Save as PNG-24 using File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy). Ensure the background layer is hidden or deleted before exporting.

File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy) > PNG-24

Can I apply rounded corners to multiple images at once?

Yes, use Photoshop’s Actions panel to record the steps of any method and apply them to multiple images via File > Automate > Batch.

File > Automate > Batch

Conclusion

Creating rounded corners in Photoshop is a versatile skill for enhancing images in web design, social media, and print projects. With methods like vector masks, shape layers, and layer masks, you can achieve professional results while maintaining flexibility for edits. Experiment with different corner radii and effects to suit your project’s aesthetic. Try these techniques in your next design and explore Photoshop’s vast toolset for more creative possibilities!