How to Paste into a Layer Mask in Photoshop

Forum|Forum|15 days ago
January 30, 2026
3 replies
85 views

Hi there. I would like to do this.

https://youtu.be/Vzvv0DfvJm8?si=0kXVTHXUFwMWA6zZ

To paste a (black and white) image into a layer mask.
I've got it once to work and all the other times it doesnt work. I dont know why it works or why it doesnt work.
Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks a lot!!

Correct answer Ged_Traynor

@Ged_Traynor @Nemnissis try opening this layer in its own window

Then go to Window > Arrange 2-up Vertical

Your setup should look like this

E

ExUSA

Genius

Going just from memory, option-click to load a mask, then you can treat it like any other black and white layer.

creative explorer

Community Expert

@Nemnissis I agree with @Ged_Traynor , it worked for me as well. If you wanted a longer tutorial, try this: https://www.photoshopessentials.com/basics/how-to-paste-an-image-into-a-layer-mask-in-photoshop/

But, Julieanne Kost did nailed it under 2 minutes!

m

Ged_Traynor

Community Expert

@Nemnissis I just tested a few times on my system, and it’s working fine, with Photoshop version 27.3, can you post a screenshot of the Photoshop interface with all the pertinent panels opened

NemnissisAuthor

Participating Frequently

Thanks all for replying!
here 2 screenshots:

So this is the image i want to use as a mask. It had some color, so first i did single adjustment→ black and white then merge layers, to make it one layer again. I select it, edit->Copy (no shortcuts). Select layer one, Alt click the mask thumbnail, edit->Paste (no shortcut). Nothing happens.

?
I am on Photoshop 27.2.0
Any help much appreciated.

NemnissisAuthor

Participating Frequently

I am updating now to 27.3 Let’s see if that helps…….

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded