How to fix Mac wallpaper cropping

If the edges of a wallpaper disappear, the image and screen probably have different shapes. Filling the whole screen requires the image to be enlarged until both dimensions cover the display; the excess is cropped.

Check the image and display shape

Compare width divided by height for each. A 3840 × 2160 image is 16:9, while 3840 × 2400 is 16:10. When a 16:9 image fills a 16:10 display, part of its width must be cropped. Display dimensions differ by model; use our Mac wallpaper size table and check your exact display.

Try another size or position

Open System Settings → Wallpaper and select your image.
Look for the available size and position controls for that image. Labels and options can differ between macOS versions.
If a fit option is available, try it to show the whole image. It can leave empty space when the shapes differ. A fill option uses the entire screen but may crop the image.

For current settings, consult Apple’s Wallpaper settings guide. Avoid stretching an image if preserving its proportions matters.

Choose a better source image

Choose a crop made for a display with a similar shape.
Use a full-size image, not a thumbnail or compressed preview.
Leave extra space around the subject so the edges can be cropped without cutting it off.
Check image quality after cropping; enlarging a small image cannot add back missing detail. Follow our blurry wallpaper guide if the result looks soft.

Using more than one display

A MacBook and an external monitor can have different resolutions and shapes. An image that fits one may be cropped on the other. Check each display separately and choose an appropriate image or crop. Apple notes that “Show on all Spaces” applies the same wallpaper across desktop spaces and displays in supported macOS versions.

How to set a wallpaper · Choose the right image size · Browse wallpapers