# Outpainting

> Outpainting is AI image generation that extends a picture beyond its original 4 edges, keeping the original and painting new content around it to match. It is the opposite of inpainting, which repaints inside the frame. On Kenerate, Expand Image outpaints to 10 ratios or grows any edge by up to 100%.

URL: https://kenerateai.com/outpainting
Publisher: Kenerate AI (https://kenerateai.com)
Last updated: 6 October 2026

## Key facts
- What it does: Adds new image area outside the original edges
- Opposite of: Inpainting (repaints inside the frame)
- Also called: Uncrop, image extension, generative expand
- On Kenerate: Expand Image: 10 ratios or Grow edges 0–100%
- Models: 5, default Nano Banana 2 Fast
- Photo: JPG, PNG or WebP, up to 25 MB

## Steps
1. Upload the image — Open Expand Image and add a JPG, PNG or WebP up to 25 MB. Running it needs an account with a verified email.
2. Choose the new frame — Ratio: pick one of 10 shapes from 1:1 to 21:9. Grow edges: set each side from 0 to 100% of the photo, in 5% steps.
3. Place the original — Set it Left, Centre or Right (Top, Centre or Bottom for tall frames), or drag it. The empty side is what gets outpainted.
4. Describe the new area (optional) — Up to 400 characters, such as 'more of the same beach and calm sea'. Leave it blank and the model continues what lies beyond the edges.
5. Outpaint and download — Press Expand for 1 or 2 variations. The result outlines where the original sits; download it or send it to Edit or Upscale.

## In depth

### What is outpainting in AI?
Outpainting means generating image content outside the borders of an existing picture. The original pixels are treated as fixed, a larger canvas is set up around them, and an image model fills the empty area so that the perspective, light, colour and grain continue without a seam. The term spread with diffusion image models, which can be told which part of a canvas to keep and which part to fill [1].
Whatever is added is invented to match, not recovered. Outpainting a beach gives you a plausible continuation of that beach, not the real one.

### How Kenerate outpaints an image
Expand Image builds the smallest frame of your chosen ratio that holds the whole photo, places the photo where you put it and marks the rest as empty. The model receives that canvas and the original photo, with an instruction to fill only the empty area and keep the original's content, position and scale. You get 1 or 2 variations with an outline showing where the original sits.

### Outpainting vs inpainting
Both fill a region the model is told to paint. Inpainting's region is inside the picture, a person to remove or a sky to replace, so the size of the image stays the same. Outpainting's region is outside, so the image gets bigger. On Kenerate, inpainting lives in Edit Studio as Change Region and Magic Eraser; outpainting is Expand Image.

### How much can you outpaint?
The share of new area is set by the two shapes. Going from 4:3 to 16:9 adds 25%; a square photo to 16:9 adds about 44%; a 16:9 landscape to a 9:16 story adds about 68%. The more the model has to invent, the more the scene can drift, so for big changes outpaint in two passes and check the seam each time.
- Easy to outpaint: skies, sea, grass, plain walls, studio backdrops, tabletops
- Harder: tiles, brickwork, bookshelves, crowds
- Hardest: lettering cut by the edge, symmetrical buildings

References:
[1] Wikipedia — Stable Diffusion (inpainting and outpainting): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stable_Diffusion

## FAQ
Q: What is outpainting AI?
A: Outpainting AI extends an image beyond its edges. The original stays in place and an image model paints new content around it, matching perspective, light and style, so a square photo can become a widescreen one without cropping or stretching.

Q: What is the difference between inpainting and outpainting?
A: Inpainting regenerates an area inside the picture, such as removing an object, so the image keeps its size. Outpainting generates new area outside the picture, so the image gets bigger. Kenerate does inpainting with Change Region and Magic Eraser in Edit Studio, and outpainting with Expand Image.

Q: How do I outpaint an image?
A: Upload it to Kenerate's Expand Image, pick a ratio (or grow chosen edges by up to 100%), place the photo and press Expand. Optionally describe the new area in up to 400 characters. You get 1 or 2 variations with the original outlined.

Q: Is outpainting the same as uncrop?
A: Uncrop is outpainting used for one job: winning back the edges of a tight crop. The method is the same; only the goal differs. Expand Image's Grow edges mode is the usual way to uncrop.

Q: Does outpainting change the original part of the image?
A: The model is instructed to keep the original's content, position and scale unchanged. Because the whole image is returned by the model, very fine detail can differ slightly, so compare the outlined area with your original.

Q: Can I outpaint for free?
A: New accounts get starter credits that work on Expand Image, no subscription is required, and results download without a watermark. A failed run is refunded automatically.

Q: Does outpainting increase resolution?
A: It adds area, not detail. The working canvas is capped at 2048 px on the long side and each model answers at its own size. For a print or a large screen, send the result to Upscale afterwards.

## Related pages
- AI Image Extender: https://kenerateai.com/ai-image-extender
- Expand Image AI: https://kenerateai.com/expand-image-ai
- Uncrop Image: https://kenerateai.com/uncrop-image
- AI Image Expander: https://kenerateai.com/ai-image-expander
- Generative Expand alternative: https://kenerateai.com/photoshop-generative-expand-alternative

## Sources
- Kenerate Expand Image: https://kenerateai.com/app/tool/expand-image
- Kenerate Edit Studio (Crop & Expand, Change Region, Magic Eraser): https://kenerateai.com/app/edit
- Wikipedia — Stable Diffusion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stable_Diffusion