Straightening an existing photo
- Google Photos — open the photo → Edit → Crop → Straighten. For buildings whose sides lean in, use Perspective in the same menu and drag the corners.
- Galaxy Gallery — Edit → the rotation dial on the crop screen.
- Keep the original — save the edit as a copy so you can redo it later.
Crop loss by angle
How much of the photo survives after rotating by θ and cropping the largest rectangle with the same aspect ratio and no empty corners. A 4:3 photo gives the same result in portrait or landscape.
| Rotation | 4:3 area kept | Cropped away | 9:16 area kept | 12 MP 4:3 becomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5° | 97.7% | 2.3% | 97.0% | about 11.7 MP |
| 1° | 95.5% | 4.5% | 94.1% | about 11.5 MP |
| 2° | 91.4% | 8.6% | 88.8% | about 11.0 MP |
| 3° | 87.6% | 12.4% | 83.9% | about 10.5 MP |
| 5° | 80.8% | 19.2% | 75.5% | about 9.7 MP |
The percentage hurts less than where it comes from: the edges. Frame corners, document margins and the people at each end of a group shot go first.
Which line to level to
| Photo | Level to | Not to |
|---|---|---|
| Sea or lake | The horizon where water meets sky | A slanted shoreline |
| Buildings and rooms | Verticals: door frames, wall corners | Roof lines bent by perspective |
| Documents and frames | The paper or frame edge | The floor line behind |
| Hills and stairs | Trees, poles and other verticals | The sloping ground |
Next time, level at capture
The Android app "Level Camera" records the tilt of every shot, so you know exactly which photos need fixing.
Shoot when you are in tolerance
When the angle on screen drops inside your tolerance and turns green, press the shutter. No rotation needed, so nothing gets cropped.
Sort by Straightest
Sort the Gallery by Straightest and the most tilted shots fall to the end. Send only those to an editor.
FAQ
Can Level Camera straighten photos too?
No. It focuses on getting the shot straight in the first place. Use Google Photos or your gallery editor for existing photos.
Do I lose less if I change the aspect ratio?
Yes, slightly more area survives if you do not keep the original ratio. For places with fixed ratios, such as social posts or shop listings, use the table above.
Level Camera
No sign-up, and your photos and records stay on your phone. Free on Android.