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In Photoshop desktop, select the layer, shape, path, or selection you want to change, then press Ctrl+T on Windows or Command+T on macOS to open Free Transform. Use its handles and modifier keys to scale, rotate, skew, distort, or apply perspective; press Enter or Return to commit, or Esc to cancel.

Open Free Transform on the selected content

  1. Select the layer, shape, path, or selection you want to transform in the document or Layers panel. Free Transform affects the active target. If you are working with a locked Background layer, convert it to a regular layer before using the separate Transform workflow described in Adobe’s instructions.
  2. Press Ctrl+T on Windows or Command+T on macOS. You can also choose Edit > Free Transform. Adobe documents these desktop shortcuts in its Free Transform instructions and keyboard shortcut reference.

Scale or rotate with the transform handles

Scale

Drag a corner or side handle to resize the target. In current Photoshop desktop behavior, proportional scaling is controlled by the Maintain aspect ratio icon in the Options bar. Shift toggles proportional behavior while transforming, and Photoshop remembers the last scaling behavior, so older tutorials may describe a different default. For exact dimensions, enter percentages in the W and H fields; use the link icon to keep their proportions connected.

Rotate

Move the pointer just outside the transform boundary until the curved rotation pointer appears, then drag. Hold Shift to constrain rotation to 15-degree steps, or enter an exact angle in the rotation field in the Options bar.

Reshape content with modifier keys or Warp

  • Skew: Hold Ctrl on Windows or Command on macOS while dragging a side handle.
  • Distort: Hold Ctrl on Windows or Command on macOS while dragging a handle to move it freely.
  • Perspective: Hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift on Windows or Command+Option+Shift on macOS while dragging a corner.
  • Warp: Choose Switch Between Free Transform And Warp Modes in the Options bar, then drag control points or select a preset Warp style.

Adobe describes these controls in its desktop transform guide and its guide to scale, rotation, and perspective.

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Commit, cancel, or duplicate while transforming

Press Enter on Windows or Return on macOS, or choose the Commit control in the Options bar, to apply the transformation. Press Esc or choose Cancel to discard it.

To duplicate the selected layer or selection and enter Free Transform, use Ctrl+Alt+T on Windows or Command+Option+T on macOS. This is distinct from opening Free Transform on the original target; see Adobe’s duplicate-as-you-transform instructions.

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Choose Free Transform or a named Transform command

Free Transform is the fast option when you want to work continuously with handles, modifier keys, and numeric fields. For a specific operation, use Edit > Transform and select a named command such as Scale, Rotate, Skew, Distort, Perspective, or Warp. Exact rotation and scale values are available in the Options bar during Free Transform.

For fixed orientation changes, Adobe documents Edit > Transform commands for 180°, 90° clockwise, 90° counterclockwise, horizontal flip, and vertical flip. Its instructions document these as menu choices, not as a dedicated single-key shortcut for each one. See Adobe’s rotate and flip guide.

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Protect image quality when transforming bitmap content

Adobe warns that bitmap content becomes slightly less sharp each time you commit a transformation. When you need several adjustments, make them in one transform operation before committing rather than repeatedly committing separate changes. Adobe also says Smart Objects preserve image quality through repeated transformations.

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Scope: Photoshop desktop

These shortcuts and steps are for Photoshop desktop. Adobe’s desktop transform guide was last updated September 28, 2026. Do not assume the same shortcut workflow applies to Photoshop on the web; Adobe documents a separate web interface using Size & position > Transform.

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