How to Combine Multiple Photos Into One Image in Photoshop

The fastest way to merge photos in Photoshop

Open Photoshop and create a new document large enough to hold all your images side by side or stacked. Go to File > New and set the width and height to match what you need — if you're combining two 1000×800 photos horizontally, make your canvas 2000×800. Set the background to white, transparent, or whatever you want behind your merged image.

Then open each photo you want to merge as a layer. Go to File > Open as Layers and select all the images at once. Photoshop will place each one on its own layer in the same document. Drag each layer into position using the Move Tool (the cross with arrows, or press V). When everything is positioned the way you want, flatten the image by going to Image > Flatten Image, then save.

This method works for any layout — side by side, stacked, overlapping, or scattered. The key is making your canvas the right size first, then positioning each photo where it belongs.

Key Takeaways

Create a new document with dimensions that fit all your photos, then use File > Open as Layers to bring them in as separate layers.
Use the Move Tool to drag each photo into the position you want on the canvas.
Flatten the image when you're done positioning everything, then save the result as a JPEG, PNG, or PSD file.
If photos have different sizes, you can scale individual layers with Edit > Transform > Scale before positioning them.
Use layer masks or the Eraser Tool to blend edges where photos meet if you want a seamless look.

Sizing your canvas before you start

The canvas size determines how much space you have to work with. If you're merging two photos side by side and each is 1920×1080 pixels, your new canvas should be 3840×1080. If you're stacking them vertically, make it 1920×2160. You can always make the canvas bigger later with Image > Canvas Size, but starting with the right dimensions saves steps.

When you create a new document, Photoshop asks what color you want the background to be. Choose white if you want a white border around your photos, transparent if you plan to place this merged image on another background later, or any color that matches your design. You can change this later too — just add a new layer beneath all your photos and fill it with whatever color you need.

Bringing photos in as layers

File > Open as Layers is faster than opening each photo separately and copying it over. Select multiple images at once (hold Ctrl on Windows or Command on Mac while clicking), and Photoshop imports them all into the same document, each on its own layer. The layers panel on the right shows each photo as a separate entry, so you can hide, move, or delete individual images without affecting the others.

If you've already opened photos in separate windows, you can drag them into your main document instead. Click and hold the image tab at the top of one photo, drag it into the canvas of your merged document, and Photoshop converts it to a new layer. This works but is slower than Open as Layers if you have many photos.

Positioning and aligning your photos

Select the Move Tool from the toolbar (the cross with four arrows) or press V. Click on any photo layer in the layers panel, then click and drag that photo on the canvas to move it. If you need precise alignment, use the alignment tools: select the layer you want to move, then go to Window > Align to open the alignment panel. You can align layers to the left, center, right, top, middle, or bottom of the canvas, or distribute them evenly with equal spacing.

For overlapping photos, the layer order matters. The layer at the top of the layers panel appears on top of the canvas. Drag layers up or down in the panel to change what's in front. If you want a photo partially hidden behind another, move it lower in the layers panel and position it so the top photo covers part of it.

Scaling photos to match each other

If your photos are different sizes, you may want to scale them so they match. Click the layer you want to resize, then go to Edit > Transform > Scale. A box with handles appears around the photo. Drag a corner handle to resize it — hold Shift while dragging to keep the proportions the same so the photo doesn't stretch. Press Enter when you're done.

You can also use Edit > Transform > Rotate to turn a photo, or Flip Horizontal or Flip Vertical to mirror it. Each transform is a separate step, so explore them one at a time and press Enter after each one.

Blending edges where photos meet

If two photos are touching and you want them to blend smoothly instead of showing a hard line, use a layer mask. Click the layer you want to blend, then click the layer mask icon at the bottom of the layers panel (it looks like a white rectangle). Select the Gradient Tool (press G), make sure your foreground color is black and background is white, then drag from the edge you want to fade across the edge itself. The black part of the gradient makes that area transparent, revealing the layer below.

For a simpler approach, select the Eraser Tool (press E), set the opacity to 50%, and gently erase along the edge where two photos meet. This creates a soft transition. You can undo with Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) if you erase too much.

Saving your merged image

Before you save, flatten the image so all layers merge into one. Go to Image > Flatten Image. This combines every layer into a single image and removes transparency, so make sure your background layer is set up the way you want it first.

Then save: go to File > Export As (or Save As if you want to keep it as a PSD file). Choose JPEG if you want a smaller file for email or web, PNG if you need transparency or higher quality, or PSD if you want to keep all the layers so you can edit it later. Name the file and click Export.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge photos that are different sizes without scaling them?

Yes. Make your canvas large enough to fit all of them at their original sizes, then position each one. They don't have to be the same size — Photoshop will place them wherever you drag them on the canvas.

What if I want the photos to blend together seamlessly?

Use a layer mask with a gradient to fade one photo into another, or use the Eraser Tool at low opacity to soften the edges where they meet. For a more polished look, you can also use the Clone Tool to paint over the seam with pixels from nearby areas.

How do I undo if I make a mistake?

Press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) to undo the last action. You can undo multiple steps by pressing it repeatedly, or go to Edit > Undo History to jump back to any earlier state of your document.

Can I save the merged image and still edit the layers later?

Yes, but only if you save it as a PSD file. Go to File > Save As, choose Photoshop (PSD) format, and keep it on your computer. JPEG and PNG files flatten automatically, so you lose the layers.

What's the difference between Flatten Image and Merge Down?

Flatten Image combines all layers into one and removes transparency. Merge Down combines only the selected layer with the one directly below it, keeping other layers separate. Use Flatten Image when you're done editing and ready to save.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.