Eyedropper Tool

The Eyedropper Tool is a simple but essential tool that allows you to sample colors from any pixel in your image. When you click on a pixel, its color becomes your foreground color, and you can also set it as your background color with a modifier key.

This tool is indispensable for color matching, picking up reference colors from reference images, and ensuring color consistency across your design. It works on any open image or even outside the Photoshop window (when the tool option is enabled).

Where to Find It

The Eyedropper Tool is located in the toolbar, typically represented by an eyedropper icon. Press I to activate it. It shares a group with the Color Sampler Tool, Ruler Tool, and Note Tool.

How to Use

• Select the Eyedropper Tool: Press I or click the eyedropper icon in the toolbar.
• Sample a color: Click on any pixel in your image to set that color as your foreground color.
• Set background color: Hold Alt (Option on Mac) and click to set the sampled color as your background color instead.
• Sample from outside Photoshop: Click inside the image, then drag outside the Photoshop window to sample colors from anywhere on your screen.
• View color values: Look at the Color panel or Info panel (Window > Info) to see the exact numerical values of the sampled color in RGB, CMYK, or HEX format.

Settings & Options

• Sample Size: Point Sample (single pixel), 3×3 Average, 5×5 Average, up to 101×101 Average — larger samples average more pixels for a representative color.
• Sample: Current Layer or All Layers — determines which layers are sampled.
• Show Sampling Ring: When enabled, displays a ring around the cursor showing the sampled color and the current foreground color for comparison.

Pro Tips

• Use a larger sample size (11×11 or 31×31) when sampling from noisy or textured areas to get a representative average color rather than picking a single unrepresentative pixel.
• The Sampling Ring is invaluable for precise color matching — it shows both the old and new color, helping you confirm before you click.
• Use the Eyedropper Tool together with the Color Panel to store frequently used colors as swatches for quick access later.

Common Mistakes

• Using Point Sample on noisy images: Sampling a single pixel from a noisy or textured area gives an unrepresentative color. Always use an averaged sample size for photographs.
• Forgetting to reset the foreground color: After sampling a color, press D to reset to default black/white, or X to swap foreground and background.