How to Zoom in Photoshop: All Possible Methods to Try

By Tata Rossi 21 days ago, Photoshop Tips

Novice users often google this question as the process can be tricky if you just mastering the software. Zooming in and out an image, you can focus on a specific element. For example, you can make zoom in on a person’s face to eliminate wrinkles. If you are looking for a detailed and easy-to-comprehend guide on how to zoom in and out in Adobe Photoshop, make sure to read this article till the end.

METHOD 1. Adjust the Zoom Level

After you open this photo enlargement software, you need to adjust the zoom level. This is actually the first stage of zooming in and out in Photoshop. At this point, you can learn the current level, define a new one, and learn how to keep the zoom level in focus.

STEP 1. Check the Current Zoom Level

current zoom level

Before you start to zoom in Photoshop, you need to understand what the current level is. Open your file in the program. Ps displays the current zoom level in two different areas – on the document tab just above the image to the right of the file name and in the lower-left corner of the document window.

STEP 2. Alter the Zoom Level

changing the zoom level

The zoom level displayed in the document tab at the top is needed only to inform users. So, it is impossible to change the value there. To make the tweaks, you need to move to the lower-left corner.

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Click the current zoom level and enter a new value. You don't need to add a percent symbol (%) because Photoshop inserts it automatically. To apply changes, press Enter (Win)/Return (Mac).

STEP 3. Keep the Zoom Level Field in Focus

how to keep the zoom level box in focus

People, who only learn how to use zoom Photoshop, often face the problem when the Zoom area loses focus after a new value has been applied. Thus, they need to click the current value again to select it before entering a new value. Fortunately, solving the problem is a no-brainer.

Just hold down the Shift key while pressing Enter (Win)/Return (Mac) to accept the value. The zoom level will remain selected.

METHOD 2. Change the Zoom Level Using a Slider

This is another variant of how to zoom in Photoshop without much hassle. In fact, this is the fastest and the most straightforward method of how to cope with the task, which is bound to satisfy beginner users.

changing the zoom level with the scrubby slider

Hover your mouse over an input field, and then press and hold the Ctrl (Win)/Command (Mac). The mouse cursor will turn into a slider icon (a small hand with an arrow pointing left and right).

Click the input field and hold down the mouse button and drag leftwards/rightwards to increase or decrease the value in 1% increments. Alternatively, you can press Shift + Ctrl on the Win keyboard or use the Shift + Command combination on the Mac keyboard. Drag to change the value in 10% increments.

METHOD 3. Use the Toolbox

Looking through the menu tools, you’ll find some suitable for zooming in/out. Use the commands in the Menu to make a specific image part bigger or smaller.

STEP 1. Use the “View” Menu

the view menu options

Open the "View" menu to change the zoom level via Zoom. Here you will see several options grouped together that allow controlling the size of the image preview.

zoom in and zoom out options

The first two options are "Zoom In" and "Zoom Out" – you can control them, using Photoshop keyboard shortcuts. The first is aimed at zooming in, while the second brings the opposite result.

STEP 2. Zoom Tool

zoom tool

To access the “Zoom” tool, click the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the toolbar on the left side of the screen. You can also press Z for instant access.

STEP 3. 100% Image View

With the help of a 100% image view option, you can get the most accurate result possible. Thus, a program uses one pixel of a monitor to display one pixel of an image. Photo magnification depends on the size of a picture.

viewing images at 100%

Using the instrument is a breeze. Click the “Zoom” tool, or go to “View” on the menu bar and select “100%”. Another method is to click Ctrl/Cmd + 1.

STEP 4. Use the Navigation Panel

navigator panel

Use the navigator panel to see zoom in Photoshop. Click the ship's steering wheel icon on the right side of the screen. More it to the right to zoom in or drag it leftwards for the opposite effect. You can also achieve the same result by clicking on large/small mountains on both sides of the line.

move tool

This approach is great for quick work. Select the “Move Tool” from the toolbar on the left or activate it by pressing V.

STEP 5. Animated Zoom

To zoom in or out, you can either click the magnifying glass icon several times or use the continuous zoom function, by ticking the “Animated Zoom” checkbox in the settings.

Select "Edit" from the menu bar at the top.

edit functions

Hover over “Preferences” and select “General”. Click "Tools" on the left of the window that opens and make sure the "Animated Zoom" checkbox is checked.

animated zoom

With this feature active, you can click and hold, and the screen will slowly zoom in until you release. 

STEP 6. Use Scrubby Zoom

scrubby zoom

You can also use Scrubby Zoom in the options bar to zoom in Photoshop.

STEP 7. Enlarge a Part of an Image

magnify a specific selection

You can also enlarge the selection. Make sure the “Zoom” tool is active, and uncheck the “Scrubby Zoom” checkbox in the options bar at the top. Next, create a frame around the area you want to enlarge.

METHOD 4. Use Mouse Scroll Wheel

Another method that is bound to interest novices. For this option to work, make sure the "Zoom with Scroll Wheel" checkbox in the general settings is ticked. You can check this in a few steps.

Go to "Edit" on the menu bar and scroll to the bottom to hover a cursor over "Preferences". There will appear the menu > select "General" there.

general settings

In the window that opens, click Tools on the left. Then tick the "Zoom with Scroll Wheel" checkbox.

zoom with scroll wheel

Then you can easily zoom in/out an image using a mouse scroll wheel. If you need to switch off this function, untick the corresponding checkbox.

Bonus Tools

photoshop photo actions

If you want to speed up photo editing, download and use these actions. You can achieve an amazing result just in several clicks. Besides, you don’t need to read multiple guidelines and watch video tutorials to figure out how to install Photoshop actions. Everything is very intuitive. With the help of such filters, you can spruce up your images and give them unique touches.

F.A.Q.

  • • Why can't I zoom in Photoshop?

Hold the Option/Alt key to access zoom and use the scroll wheel to zoom in and out. If you hold down Shift while working with the scroll wheel, you can restrict scaling to fixed percentage.

  • • How to reset the Zoom tool in Adobe Ps?

Select the "Zoom" tool from the toolbar. Go up to the top-left corner of the options bar and click the little arrow to the left of the zoom icons. Select "Reset Tool" from the drop-down menu.

  • • What is Scrubby Zoom?

Using Scrubby Zoom, precisely control how much and where you want to zoom in. Dragging the mouse to the left, you’ll zoom out. Don't forget to hover your cursor over the object you want to look at as the Scrubby Zoom will move to that area.

  • • How to enable the navigator in Photoshop?

Choose “Window” > “Navigator”. Click an image to select it, then use the slider in the “Navigator” panel to adjust the magnification level.

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