Lasso Tool in Photoshop: How to Use It, Types, Features & Pro Tips

When it comes to making selections in Photoshop, the Lasso Tool is one of the most powerful and flexible options available. Whether you’re editing photos, creating digital artwork, or designing graphics, mastering the Lasso Tool can drastically improve your workflow. In this blog post, we’ll dive into how to use the Lasso Tool, explore its three types, and highlight features that make it a must-have in your Photoshop toolkit.

What is the Lasso Tool?

The Lasso Tool is a freehand selection tool in Photoshop that allows users to draw custom selection areas around objects. It is primarily used when you want to select irregular shapes that are hard to isolate using standard tools like the Rectangular or Elliptical Marquee Tool.

You’ll find the Lasso Tool in the Photoshop Tools panel, or by pressing the shortcut key “L”.

Types of Lasso Tools in Photoshop

Photoshop actually offers three types of Lasso Tools, each with its own specialty:

1. Lasso Tool (Freehand Lasso)

This is the default Lasso Tool and works just like a pencil — you click and drag to draw a freehand selection.

Best for:

Rough selections
Quickly tracing around objects
Irregular and organic shapes

Pro Tip: Hold down the Alt/Option key to subtract from the selection, or Shift to add to it.

2. Polygonal Lasso Tool

This version allows you to create straight-edged selections by clicking points around an object. Photoshop automatically draws straight lines between those points.

Best for:

Geometric or architectural elements
Selections with clear straight edges
Precise control with fewer mouse movements

Pro Tip: Double-click to close the path, or click back on the starting point.

3. Magnetic Lasso Tool

The Magnetic Lasso automatically detects the edges of an object based on contrast and “snaps” to them as you move your cursor.

Best for:

High-contrast objects
Complex selections that would be time-consuming with the freehand tool
Photo editing and background removal

Customizable Settings:

Width: Distance from edge detection
Contrast: How sharply the tool defines edges
Frequency: How often anchor points are added

Features of the Lasso Tool

Add/Subtract/Intersect Selections: Easily modify existing selections with keyboard shortcuts.
Feathering: Smooth out the edges of your selection for a more natural blend.
Anti-aliasing: Prevents jagged edges by softening selection boundaries.
Combines with Other Tools: You can use the Lasso Tool alongside Quick Selection, Masking, or Refine Edge for advanced editing.

Pro Tips for Using the Lasso Tool Efficiently

Zoom in while selecting detailed areas for greater accuracy.
Use a graphics tablet or stylus for better control in freehand selections.
Combine selections with Layer Masks for non-destructive editing.
Practice using Magnetic Lasso on high-contrast images to get the hang of edge detection.

Conclusion

Mastering the Lasso Tool in Photoshop is essential for anyone serious about photo editing or graphic design. Whether you’re cutting out a subject, adjusting a portion of an image, or creating unique compositions, the three Lasso Tools give you flexibility and control.

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