Have you ever thought that you can go beyond the edges of a picture? That you can add new content to an existing photo without the change being perceptible? If you have and want to perform this operation, artificial intelligence is, yet again, your ally.

AI image extenders use artificial intelligence to expand the boundaries of an image while maintaining its visual coherence. These tools analyze the existing elements of an image, such as textures, colors, and patterns, and generate new pixels that seamlessly blend with the original content. Using deep learning techniques like generative adversarial networks (GANs) or diffusion models, AI image expanders can fill in missing parts, adjust aspect ratios or improve composition without distortion.

The benefits of these tools are significant and span across various industries. They allow artists, designers, photographers and marketers to enhance images without manual editing and to create visually appealing content for different platforms by adapting images to specific dimensions. Moreover, AI-powered image extension can be valuable in restoration projects, where missing or damaged sections of historical images can be reconstructed.

Keep on reading to discover the best solutions to accomplish the task:

Adobe Express

Adobe Express is a versatile photo editing and graphic design software available online or on your mobile devices (iPhone and Android). The platform provides multiple options to create and edit photos, including of course the possibility to expand images with generative AI. No matter if you upload your own file or choose one of the built-in design templates, you’ll be able to easily transform your images.

Adobe Express represents a great choice if you want to repurpose your content and make it suitable for social media platforms. The website allows you to expand your photos by selecting from a multitude of preset resolutions, sizes and formats. You can make your pictures fit an Instagram square post or reel, YouTube thumbnail, TikTok ad, Pinterest idea pin, Snapchat filter or Reddit cover. In addition, you’ll find predefined proportions for documents, prints, marketing and promotional materials or webpages. Naturally, you can also specify the exact dimensions of the width and height.

Extending an image with Adobe Express is easy to do. Simply:

1. Upload your photo in the editor.
2. Click on “Original aspect ratio”.
3. Select Resize from the top menu.
4. Choose the size you want your photo to fit.
5. Select Resize or Duplicate & Resize to keep the original.

In a couple of seconds, the software will generate 3 new images. You can pick one of those images and keep it or click on the Generate more button for more variations.

Pros

• It produces excellent results, even when converting vertical shots to landscape.
• It automatically generates three image variations to choose from.
• The most comprehensive library of preset sizes and resolutions.
• The numerous editing and design options available with generative AI.

Cons

• You can’t test the feature in the free plan.

Price

Adobe Express comes with a free plan for individuals who need basic editing tools and access to a limited number of templates, stock photos and fonts. The feature to expand your photos is a premium feature and can’t be tested free of charge. There are two paid plans:

• Premium: $9.99/month
• Teams: $4.99/person/month

PromeAI

PromeAI is an AI-powered platform built to create remarkable artwork. The website is equipped with a collection of tools to turn text into high-quality images, convert sketches into photos, photos into videos and other similar operations. The tool we’re particularly interested in this time, the one to generate new content beyond the image edges, is called Outpainting.

PromeAI uses advanced algorithms to expand the original image content based on proportion or dimensions. You can manually set the new dimensions in pixels, choose a preset aspect ratio, as well as use text prompts to tell the AI exactly what to add in the picture. The platform lets you manually adjust the position of the original photo within the canvas and set the brightness of the outpainted area. There’s also an Auto Fill option, which, when activated, will automatically expand on all sides and fill the shorter edges.

Accomplishing this task is quite straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:

1. In the top bar click on AI Tools and select Outpainting.
2. In the left-side editing bar, go to Image and upload your picture.
3. Enter prompt (optional).
4. Click Size to select the aspect ratio of the generated image.
5. Select the image quantity to be generated.
6. Hit the Generate button.

Once the new images are created, you can view them in various modes, like or dislike them, directly download them or make additional adjustments with the Edit button. The platform gives you the chance to upscale them to a higher resolution, erase or replace elements, adjust the overall lighting, remove or change the background. If you’ve uploaded a photo with text in it, you can edit that text or translate it, which is pretty cool.

Pros

• Proper extension with natural blending.
• It automatically generates 3 images to choose from in the free plan.
• The possibility to copy your prompt and settings and remix the creation.
• The editing features to further tweak your pictures.
• The side-by-side view to quickly compare the original and altered image.

Cons

• You’re limited to a low-res preview download in the free version.
• Other tools offer a wider library of preset aspect ratios.

Price

PromeAI offers a free version, with enough coins (they are renewed each month) so you can explore numerous AI tools, including the image extender. If you want a faster processing, a higher number of image generations, HD exports and more, you can select one of the memberships available:

• Base: $16/month
• Standard: $29/month
• Pro: $59/month

Canva

Canva is an online graphic design platform that gives you the chance to effortlessly create visual content. Canva’s Magic Studio enables you to create and tweak photos with the aid of generative AI. There are numerous tools available, from Magic Design to generate images and graphics to Magic Expand, which lets you extend a picture in any direction you want without losing quality.

The platform makes it possible to adjust your images for various projects or purposes, whether you’d like to transform a vertical shot into a horizontal one, adapt photos to your Instagram carousel, make them fit your website layout or fix inadequate framing. You can select the preferred aspect ratio or size from diverse options or choose a freeform area for expansion in case you want to focus on a specific part of the image. Here’s how you can accomplish this task:

1. Upload the picture you wish to expand and place it on the canvas.
2. Select your picture and go to Edit > Crop/Expand.
3. Choose the desired aspect ratio.
4. Click on the Expand button.

The tool will then generate multiple variations to choose from. Once you pick the one you like, you can download it in the preferred format, generate a shareable link or directly share it on social media.

Pros

• User-friendly UI.
• Quality expansion for various image types.
• It generates four alternatives for the expanded image.
• The variety of AI tools for your design needs.

Cons

• You can use this feature only in the paid plan.
• In general, the new components blend in with the original content, but there are occasions when the results are not satisfactory.

Price

Canva comes with a free plan, but unfortunately the expand feature is not supported. In order to use this feature, unlock more AI tools and enjoy premium features and content, you’ll need to upgrade to Canva Pro. There are two options:

• $15/month – if paid on a monthly basis.
• $120/year – if you pay upfront for a year.

Getimg

Getimg is AI-driven solution that allows you to generate and edit images, including with text prompts. This website offers the opportunity to use Stable Diffusion outpainting and inpainting. Both techniques allow you to generate additional pixel data, but they serve distinct purposes. Outpainting is designed to extend your photos beyond their original borders. The AI model has been trained on extensive datasets of pictures in order to properly identify patterns, textures and objects and to accurately continue them outside the frame. On the other hand, inpainting is designed to fill in or replace specific areas within an existing image.

Depending on your needs, Getimg offers two features: Uncrop and Resize. Uncrop will generate additional space and details around the edges, while the AI Resizer will fill in new content based on a selected aspect ratio. No matter which you option you choose, the process is super simple. Your only task is to upload the image (and select the desired proportions if you use the Resize feature). The software will then instantly generate the new content. Once done, you can compare the before-and-after photos to see how the AI has transformed your image.

Pros

• Simple, automatic extension process.
• The generated results are quite good, without any noticeable artifacts or flaws.
• You can extend up to 10 pictures, in different or same styles and aspect ratios, at once.
• Watermark-free download in the free plan.

Cons

• Since the image outpainting is done automatically, you don’t have any control over the process.
• It doesn’t generate image variations; all you get is one extended picture.

Price

Getimg offers a free plan, with 100 credits each month and access to image generation (you consume 6 credits/image). If you need more credits, additional features and commercial rights, you’ll have to upgrade to one of the three subscriptions:

• Basic: $12/month
• Starter: $29/month
• Hobby: $49/month

BeFunky

BeFunky is a photo editor, collage maker and graphic design tool, available online and on your mobile devices (iPhone and Android). The platform is packed with classic image editing tools, filters and effects, but it also offers numerous AI features for image enhancement. One of those useful tools powered by artificial intelligence is the Expand one.

BeFunky uses powerful generative AI to help you extend your photos beyond their original borders. The software will analyze your picture and use smart algorithms to fill in the new space when you modify the picture’s dimensions. You can extend the image however you want: to the left, right, top or bottom and reposition it within the created workspace. The website lets you choose the new dimensions using preset values or freely dragging the controls on the canvas. Here’s how it can be quickly done:

1. Upload your photo.
2. Select your aspect ratio.
3. Select the image orientation (portrait or landscape).
4. Position the picture as you please.
5. Click the Expand AI button.

You can adjust the Fade Edge slider to the left or right to control the extent to which the edges of the original image blend with the expanded region. If you’re not satisfied with the results, you can use the Generate Again button to see other variations.

Pros

• Intuitive UI, easy to navigate.
• It can seamlessly extend the image background.
• It’s one of the quickest tools.
• A lot of flexibility when it comes to expanding your images.
• The wide range of image editing and retouching options.

Cons

• The expand tool is a paid feature.
• It can struggle with complex scenes, adding content with obvious flaws.

Price

BeFunky comes with a free version, which provides access to basic photo editing. AI Expand is not among them unfortunately. If you want to use this and other AI tools, you’ll have to upgrade to BeFunky Plus. There are two options available:

• Billed monthly: $14.99
• Billed annually: $6.99/month

YouCam

YouCam is a solution to edit, enhance and generate photos and videos. You can create and modify your visual content online, as well as on the Android and iPhone apps. The cloud-based version, the one we tested, comes with an intuitive interface, with the features on the left sidebar and a large preview area in the center. All the saving and sharing options are in the top right corner. Basically, you should be able to quickly familiarize yourself with how everything works.

YouCam’s AI image extender uses deep learning models to analyze the existing content and to add new pixels that match the style, texture and context of the original photo. In addition to outpainting, the platform is also equipped with an inpainting tool called AI Replace. You can use Generative Fill to insert new components into the picture or remove unwanted elements.

Expanding an image with YouCam is quite simple. There are only 4 steps to follow:

1. Upload your image.
2. Choose the new size/ratio from the right-side panel.
3. Pick the desired output number.
4. Click on the Generate button.

Pros

• Direct, uncomplicated extension process.
• It does a good job expanding landscape photos.
• You can generate up to 6 variations at once.
• Sufficient aspect ratios to choose from.
• Plenty of additional AI editing tools to enhance your pictures.

Cons

• Switching from the portrait to the landscape format can generate some inaccurate results.
• It may be too simplistic for some. For instance, other tools offer the possibility to enter a prompt for additional guidance.

Price

YouCam uses a credit model. In the free version, you get 2 credits + 5 more if you sign up. 1 image may cost 1 or 2 credits, depending on the feature used (image extension will consume 2 credits). You can get more credits by choosing a subscription. Below we’ve listed some of the credit options, you can find more on the website:

• 40 credits – $2.50/month
• 100 credits – $5.87/month
• 200 credits – $6.67/month
• 500 credits – $16.58/month
• 1,000 credits – $29.08/month

Picsart

Picsart is a suite of photo editing and graphic design tools, developed to help you unleash your creativity. Whether you use it online, on your iPhone or Android device, you’ll discover numerous AI-based features for your editing or design needs.

Picsart gives you the possibility to extend your images using context-aware AI. How does it work? Once you add an image, the AI analyzes it, recognizes its context and generates new content that blends smoothly with the original. The platform provides multiple options to expand your shots. You’re free to:

• pick the new ratio from predefined templates.
• drag the edges to expand automatically.
• customize – use the custom expand button to describe your idea in the prompt box.

The tool places at your disposal a large selection of preset resolutions. For instance, you can opt for dozens of sizes and ratios for all major social platforms, choose a large rectangle, postcard, billboard or mobile banner. The possibilities are quite extensive to make your images fit new dimensions.

Pros

• The multiple options to extend your original picture.
• The impressive variety of predetermined aspect ratios, catering for every need.
• A good amount of editing and design features.
• The batch processing capabilities, which allow you to enhance using AI up to 50 files simultaneously.

Cons

• You can test the AI expand feature free of charge a very limited number of times.
• Turning portrait photos into landscape is hit and miss.

Pricing

Picsart offers a free version with limited AI features and storage. To gain access to all the features, you’ll need to upgrade to one of the two paid plans:

• Picsart Plus: $5/month
• Picsart Pro: $7/month

Pixelcut

PixelCut is one of the simplest AI image extenders you can use. If you happen to be searching for a tool with lots of settings and options to customize the expansion process down to the tiniest detail, this might not be the one for you. But if you’re searching for a basic solution to quickly expand the original image dimensions, this might be perfect for your necessities.

Whether you need to edit the size of the canvas to fit a specific social platform or expand your photo’s background to add space for text, Pixelcut will help you get the job done through the Uncrop tool. Here’s how to quickly transform a picture:

• Select the Uncrop tool from the top menu.
• Upload your image.
• Choose an aspect ratio from right-side panel (or use the free form).
• Hit the Generate button.

If you don’t like the result, click on Regenerate to obtain a new version. You can zoom in to analyze the details, compare the original and expanded image and open the photo in the Designer in case you want to apply other edits.

Pros

• Easy to use.
• It produces good results with simple scenes.
• No sign up required.
• You can expand and download high-res, watermark-free images free of charge.
• The option to quickly compare the two images.

Cons

• It doesn’t perform well with more complex settings, generating unnatural or bizarre details beyond the original frame.
• The platform was slow and unresponsive at times during our tests.

Price

PixelCut allows you to use the expand option free of charge.

If you need access to other AI features, the paid Pro plan can be purchased for $9.99/month or $59.99/year.

AirBrush

AirBrush is a mobile app, desktop software and online tool that uses artificial intelligence to edit photos and videos. The software places at your disposal everything you need to retouch portraits, from adding make up and removing blemishes to smoothing the skin, but it also offers plenty of features for image enhancement. You can use its AI-powered tools to automatically improve your shots, to remove objects, modify or replace parts of a picture or to extend the original dimensions of a photo.

Expanding an image can be easily done with AirBrush on the web. The outpainting process is quite simple:

• In the top menu, go to Online Tools and select AI Image Extender.
• Upload your image (from your PC or mobile).
• Select an aspect ratio from the right-side of the screen.
• Hit the Generate button.

You can then download the created image or use the Regenerate option if the results aren’t what you expected.

Pros

• Straightforward, effortless expansion process.
• It does well when dealing with simple settings.
• Faster processing than many other tools.
• Watermark-free exports in the free plan.

Cons

• The results may vary. In some photos, the added details integrate well with the original image, while in others they just seem inappropriate (for example, velvety-red rooftops on gray high-rise buildings).
• Only 7 aspect ratios to choose from.

Price

The web version of AirBrush, the one we tested, allows you to use the expand feature 5 times a day free of charge. If you want to process additional files, you’ll have to pay $0.5/image.

OpenArt

OpenArt is a platform that uses artificial intelligence to create and edit digital art. The website is designed to work as an art generator, but it also provides a collection of AI-driven tools to help you tweak your images. In that sense it offers the possibility to apply AI filters, change facial expressions, remove objects, change/remove backgrounds, upscale pictures and expand them among others.

OpenArt allows you to select a built-in aspect ratio for your new image or a custom one and adjust the width and height accordingly. At the same time, you have the option of adding a prompt to explain how exactly you want the photo to be extended and of uploading a reference image to guide the process. You can drag your original picture within the canvas and hence let the software know in which direction to outpaint it: from center out, from left to right and so on.

The process is easy to accomplish. Here’s what you have to do:

1. Upload your image.
2. Select the Expand feature from the top menu.
3. Choose your output size from the right-side panel.
4. Add a prompt/reference image (optional).
5. Choose the number of images to be generated.
6. Hit the Create button.

Pros

• It can generate up to 8 variations.
• The possibility to expand images in bulk.
• Useful image editing features.
• You can download watermark-free, full-res photos in the free plan.

Cons

• Low quality of details and visible artifacts in some generated pictures.
• Very limited library of aspect ratios to choose from.
• You can’t upload images higher than 4096 pixels.

Price

OpenArt comes with a free version, which includes 40 one-time trial credits (1 image generation = 5 credits). You can use these credits to test the premium features for 7 days. Once you run out of credits, you can choose one of the three paid plans:

• Essential: $7/month
• Advanced: $14.5/month
• Infinite: $28/month