AI Uncrop: Expand an Image Beyond Its Borders (Generative Fill)
To expand a photo beyond its borders, open Uncrop / Expand, pick a new shape and let AI draw what lies outside the frame. This is called outpainting, or generative expand. The free version fills the new space on your device. Pro AI uses Google’s outpainting model on Vertex AI, which continues the scene (sky, sand, walls, trees) more convincingly over large areas.
Uncrop / Expand: the short answer
- A little extra space on a simple background: the free version.
- Zoom out 1.5×, or turn a tall photo wide, on a detailed scene: Pro AI (10 credits).
- You can say what should appear in the new area.
- The original photo stays untouched in the middle.
What people search for, answered
How do I uncrop a photo?
Open Uncrop / Expand, choose the photo and pick a new shape (Zoom out 1.5×, Wide 16:9, Tall 9:16, Square, 4:3 or 3:4). Pro AI draws the missing edges; the free version fills simpler backgrounds on your device.
How do I make a vertical photo horizontal?
Choose Wide 16:9. The photo stays in the middle and the model adds scene on the left and right. Describe what should appear (“more of the beach”) for a better match.
What is generative expand or outpainting?
Generative expand (Photoshop’s name) or outpainting means an AI model drawing new picture outside the original frame, continuing what it sees. It is a guess, not a recovery: whatever was really there is not known.
How do I fit a photo into Instagram without cropping?
Expand it to the shape you need, 4:5 or 1:1, with Uncrop, or add plain borders for free with Instagram No Crop.
How do I extend the background of a photo?
Uncrop extends all sides. For an exact banner shape (21:9 website hero, 16:9 YouTube) use the Banner Extender, which works the same way.
Why use ImgVX Pro AI for it
- Google’s outpainting model fills large new areas with a continuous scene, not a smeared copy of the edge.
- Your photo is protected: a mask keeps the original pixels in place and only the new area is drawn.
- Six shapes, plus an optional description of what to show.
- Failed runs cost nothing. If Google returns an error or a safety filter stops the image, the credits go straight back to your account.
- No app, no watermark. It runs from the page in any modern browser on a phone or computer, and the download carries no ImgVX watermark. Google adds its invisible SynthID mark to AI images, which is how AI content should be labelled.
Free version or Pro AI?
The Uncrop / Expand page has two versions of the tool. Try the free one first: if it is good enough, you have spent nothing.
| Free (on your device) | Pro AI (Google Vertex AI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | In your browser; the photo never leaves your device | Google Vertex AI; the photo is sent to Google for that run only |
| Model | A compact open-source model | Google Imagen outpainting on Vertex AI |
| Cost | Free with a free account | 10 paid credits a run |
| Best for | Small extensions over sky, walls and plain backgrounds | Large extensions, zoom-outs and detailed scenes |
How to use the Uncrop / Expand, step by step
- Open Uncrop / Expand and choose the photo.
- In “Pro AI”, pick the new shape and, if you like, describe what to show.
- Press Run Pro AI (10 credits).
- Compare and download.
Tips for better results
- Smaller extensions look more natural; going from tall to very wide asks the model to invent a lot.
- Describe the setting if the edge of the photo does not make it obvious.
- Check straight lines (horizons, walls) where old and new meet.
What it will not do
- It does not change what is inside the original frame, and it does not edit people.
- The new area is invented. Do not present it as part of the original photo where that matters (news, evidence, property listings).
- Every typed description is checked by our payment provider’s moderation service before Google sees it, and Google’s own safety filters run on every image. Anything in our Acceptable Use Policy (sexual content, anything involving minors, deepfakes, fake documents, removing watermarks) is refused before any credits are used.
What it costs
Pro AI runs on paid credits only, because every run costs us money on Google Cloud: the Uncrop / Expand uses 10 credits a run. Pro Monthly is $5.90 a month with 300 credits (your first month is $1), enough for about 30 runs. Pro Yearly is $39.99 a year with 4,000 credits. With no subscription, a credit pack of 50 is $4.99 and 200 is $12.99. The free trial credits do not cover Pro AI, and an account’s Pro AI use is capped by what it has paid, so the $1 first month covers only a few runs. See pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google Vertex AI for that run and is not stored by us; we keep a log of the run (tool, time, credits and any text you typed). The privacy policy has the details.
Frequently asked questions
Is Uncrop free?
The on-device version is free. Pro AI uses 10 paid credits a run, refunded if it fails.
Can it extend in just one direction?
Pick a shape that adds space where you want it: Wide adds left and right, Tall adds top and bottom. More help: ImgVX AI help docs.
Does it keep my original photo sharp?
Yes. The original area is kept by a mask and only the new space is generated. Browse: all free image tools.
What is the difference from the Banner Extender?
Same model; the Banner Extender offers exact banner shapes for websites, YouTube and social media.
Try it on your own photo
Start with the free version on the same page. When you need more, Pro AI is one button below it.