How to flip an image
- Drop a picture on the box, click it to choose a file, or paste one with Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on a Mac). A sample photo loads first so you can try the buttons.
- Press Flip horizontal (mirror) to swap left and right, or Flip vertical to swap top and bottom. Each button is a switch, so pressing it again undoes it. Using both equals a 180 degree turn.
- Press Reset to return to the original.
- Choose a format under Save as and press Download flipped image. The file is named like
holiday-flipped.png.
How the flip works
A horizontal flip sends the pixel in column x to column (width - 1 - x). A vertical flip sends row y to row (height - 1 - y). The tool applies a canvas transform, scale(-1, 1) or scale(1, -1), described on the MDN page for CanvasRenderingContext2D.scale(). No pixels are blended or resampled, so a PNG copy matches the original apart from the mirroring. JPG and WebP copies are compressed again at 92% quality, which is why PNG is the default.
Worked example
The sample photo is 1200 x 800 px. On load the status line reads "Sample photo (sample-photo.jpg), 1200 x 800 px. Showing the original orientation." Press Flip horizontal (mirror) and it changes to "Mirrored left to right." The pointed peak near the right edge jumps to the left, and the pixel that was in column 0 is now in column 1199. The size stays 1200 x 800 px because flipping never changes the dimensions. Add Flip vertical and the line says "Flipped both ways (same as turning it 180 degrees)."
Limits and edge cases
- Metadata is dropped. The saved file has no EXIF data, so camera details and GPS location are removed. Phone photos with a rotation tag are drawn and saved upright.
- Animated GIFs keep only their first frame. PNG and WebP keep transparency, while JPG turns transparent areas white.
- The size limit is 64 megapixels, such as 8000 x 8000 px. Shrink larger files with the Image Resizer.
- iPhone HEIC files need the HEIC to JPG converter first. For 90 degree turns, use the Image Rotator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I mirror an image so the text reads correctly?
If lettering in your photo appears backward, press Flip horizontal once. That swaps left and right, so the text reads as it does in real life. Press the button again to undo it.
What is the difference between flipping and rotating an image?
Flipping mirrors the picture, as a mirror would. Rotating turns it without mirroring. They overlap in one case: flipping both horizontally and vertically equals rotating 180 degrees.
Does flipping an image reduce its quality?
Flipping only moves pixels, so a PNG copy is lossless. JPG and WebP compress the picture again at 92% quality, which can add very slight changes and usually makes the file smaller.
Why does my selfie look different from the preview on my phone?
Many phones show the front camera like a mirror but save the photo un-mirrored. Some have a setting that saves mirrored selfies. Press Flip horizontal to get the mirrored look back.
Will flipping remove the location data from my photo?
Yes. The tool saves a new file with no EXIF data, so GPS coordinates and camera details are dropped. Your original file is not changed.
Sources: MDN Web Docs, CanvasRenderingContext2D.scale() and HTMLCanvasElement.toBlob().