If you’re working with a low-resolution, blurry, or pixelated photo, Lightroom’s Super Resolution feature can instantly upscale your image and recover lost detail. With one click, Adobe’s AI doubles your photo’s resolution and creates a cleaner, sharper file that's easier to edit.
This guide will show you how to use Super Resolution in Lightroom and how to make a few simple adjustments to improve image quality even further.
What Is Super Resolution?
Super Resolution is an AI-powered tool in Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw that doubles both the width and height of your image. It enhances edges, fine detail, and texture, giving you a higher-quality DNG file you can crop, print, or edit without losing clarity.
You’ll want to use Super Resolution when you’re working with:
- Low-resolution or older photos
- Soft or slightly blurry images
- Heavily cropped photos
- Screenshots
- Images from older phones or cameras
How to Use Super Resolution in Lightroom (Desktop)
- Open your photo in Lightroom Classic or Lightroom CC.
- Right-click the image and choose Enhance….
- Select Super Resolution.
- Click Enhance to generate a new, high-resolution DNG file.
The enhanced version will appear next to your original file. From here, you can edit it just like any other photo.
Optional Adjustments to Improve Image Quality
1. Noise Reduction
If the original image was taken in low light or at a high ISO, use Lightroom’s Denoise tool to remove unwanted grain while keeping detail clean and natural.
2. Sharpening
A light amount of Detail Sharpening can make textures, eyes, landscapes, and edges appear more defined—just avoid over-sharpening, which can create halos.
3. White Balance & Exposure
After upscaling, correct any uneven tones by adjusting Temperature, Tint, and Exposure. This helps restore clarity and natural color, especially if the original file was dull or underexposed.
Want to Learn More About Editing Tools?
If you're new to Lightroom or want a deeper understanding of presets and editing workflows, explore our full beginner guide: Lightroom Presets 101.
Super Resolution is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to turn a low-quality photo into a high-quality edit. With just a few thoughtful adjustments, your images will look sharper, cleaner, and ready for any project.
