About the Clone Tool
The clone tool copies one part of a picture and paints it somewhere else. Use it to cover a spot on a wall, a blemish on a sky, a power line, a stray hair or a small object that spoils a photo. First set the source: the place you want to copy from. Then paint where the copy should appear. The source follows your brush at the same distance, so you can cover a larger area in strokes. Undo any stroke, start over and save a full-size PNG. Nothing is uploaded: the work happens in your browser.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Clone Tool
- 1Select an image or drop one on the page.
- 2Press Set source, then tap or click a clean area to copy from.
- 3Choose a soft brush about the size of the flaw.
- 4Paint over the flaw. The copy follows your brush from the source.
- 5Press Set a new source whenever you need a different area, then Download PNG when done.
What cloning does
Cloning copies actual pixels. If you want to remove a dust spot from a blue sky, you copy a clean piece of sky over it. Because the pixels are real, the texture matches perfectly, which makes cloning the most reliable tool for repeating surfaces.
Setting the source well
Choose a source that is close to the flaw and has the same brightness and texture. If you pick a source far away, it may be lighter or darker and the edit shows. Change the source often so that the same pattern does not repeat in a visible way.
- Sky and walls: source a short distance away
- Grass or gravel: change the source every few strokes
- Edges and lines: source along the same line
Brush settings
A soft brush blends the edges of each copy, which hides the seams. Use a brush a little larger than the flaw. Lower the opacity if the copy looks too strong, and make a second pass for a gradual effect.
A quick example
Say a power line crosses a clear sky in your photo. Press Set source and tap the sky just above the line. Choose a soft brush about three times as wide as the line, and paint along the line. The copied sky covers it. After a few strokes, set a new source further along to avoid repeating the same patch of sky.
Phone and computer
On a phone, press Set source and tap once to choose the source, then paint with one finger. On a computer you can hold Alt and click. Pictures up to about 16 million pixels are supported.
Good to know
Cloning cannot invent what is hidden behind an object; it only copies from elsewhere. It works best on simple backgrounds. The result is saved as PNG at full size, and your original file is never changed. Cloning leaves a copy of one area on another, so it pairs well with other fixes. Soften an edge with the Smudge Tool, paint over a spot with the Brush Tool, and finish the picture in the Photo Editor. For eyes caught by a flash, try the Red Eye Remover.
Features
- Copy any area over another
- Soft brush with adjustable size
- Source follows your brush
- Opacity control for natural blending
- Undo and Start over
- Private: edited in your browser
Frequently asked questions
How does the clone tool work?
You mark a source area. When you paint, pixels from the source, at the same distance and direction from your brush, are copied to where you paint.
How do I set the source?
Press Set source and tap the picture. On a computer you can also hold Alt and click.
What can I use it for?
Hiding spots, dust marks, wires, blemishes and small objects, especially on repeating textures like sky, grass and walls.
Why does my edit look obvious?
Often the copied area has a different brightness or repeats a visible pattern. Pick sources close to the flaw, use a soft brush and change the source regularly.
What is the difference from a healing brush?
A healing brush blends the copied texture with the surrounding colours. This tool copies exactly, so choose a source with matching tones.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. Everything happens in your browser.