Elliptical Selection Tool¶
This tool, represented by an ellipse with a dashed border, allows you to make Selections of a elliptical area. Simply and drag around the section you wish to select.
Important
Most of the behavior of the Elliptical Selection Tool is common to all other selection tools, please make sure to read Selections to learn more about this tool.
Hotkeys and Stickykeys¶
J selects this tool.
R sets the selection to ‘replace’ in the tool options, this is the default mode.
A sets the selection to ‘add’ in the tool options.
S sets the selection to ‘subtract’ in the tool options.
+ Shift constrains the selection to a perfect circle. (Make sure to press
before Shift)
+ Ctrl makes the selection resize from the center. (Make sure to press
before Ctrl)
+ Alt allows you to move the selection. (Make sure to press
before Alt)
Shift +
sets the subsequent selection to ‘add’. You can release the Shift key while dragging, but it will still be set to ‘add’. Same for the others.
Alt +
sets the subsequent selection to ‘subtract’.
Ctrl +
sets the subsequent selection to ‘replace’.
Shift + Alt +
sets the subsequent selection to ‘intersect’.
-
New in version 4.2:
Hovering your cursor over the dashed line of the selection, or marching ants as it is commonly called, turns the cursor into the move tool icon, which you
and drag to move the selection.
will open up a selection quick menu with amongst others the ability to edit the selection.

Hint
To subtract a perfect circle, you can follow two different methods:
Press S to subtract then
to select and press Shift while dragging to constrain to a perfect circle.
Press Alt +
, then release the Alt key while dragging and press Shift to constrain.
Tip
You can switch the behavior of the Alt key to use the Ctrl key instead by toggling the switch in the General Settings.
Tool Options¶

- Mode
This option is explained in the Pixel and Vector Selection Types section.
- Action
This option is explained in the Pixel and Vector Selection Types section.
- Anti-aliasing
This toggles whether or not to give selections feathered edges. Some people prefer hard-jagged edges for their selections.
Note
Anti-aliasing is only available on Pixel Selection Mode.
- Width
Shows you the current width while you are creating the selection. You can manually type the value and use the ‘Lock Width’ for your next selection to have the selected value.
- Lock Width
Forces the next selection to have the current width.
- Height
Shows you the current height while you are creating the selection. You can manually type the value and use the ‘Lock Height’ for your next selection to have the selected value.
- Lock Height
Forces the next selection to have the current height.
- Ratio
Shows the ratio between height and width of the selection. Similar to Height, and Width, you can manually type the value and use the ‘Lock Ratio’ for your next selection to have the selected value.
- Lock Ratio
Forces the next selection to have the current ratio.
Hint
If you want your selection to be of specific size:
Type the width and height.
Press the Lock Width and Lock Height buttons.
where you want your selection to be.