How to remove a photo background cleanly
Product shots, profile pictures and images for slides often look better without their background. What used to take a long time in a photo editor now takes a few seconds in the browser. The trick is to pick the right method for the kind of photo you have.
Pick a method for your photo
| Photo type | Recommended method |
|---|---|
| People, selfies, profile photos | Background Remover, person AI |
| Common objects like cups, bags, pets | Background Remover, object AI |
| Products shot against a plain wall or cloth | Background Remover, solid color |
| Signatures, stamps or logos on white paper | Remove White Background |
The AI modes find the subject on their own and handle busy backgrounds well. The solid color mode removes pixels by color, so it is most precise when the backdrop is one even color.
Removing the background
- Add your photo to the Background Remover below.
- Choose the mode that fits and click remove. AI modes download a model file the first time, so they take a few extra seconds.
- If the edges look harsh, raise the edge softness a little.
- Fix leftover or missing areas with the erase and restore brushes.
- Download a transparent PNG, or fill the background with a color of your choice.
Tips for a cleaner cutout
Add contrast when you shoot
When the subject and background are similar colors, every method struggles with the edge. Shoot light objects against a dark background and dark objects against a light one.
Finish hair and fur with the brush
Fine hair and fur are hard even for AI. Shrink the brush, zoom in, and alternate between restore and erase for a natural look.
A light halo around the edge
A thin band of the old background can show up as a halo on dark backgrounds. Lower the edge softness or sweep the edge once more with the erase brush.
Signatures and logos: use Remove White Background
For a signature or stamp scanned on white paper, Remove White Background is more precise than AI. It only turns near-white pixels transparent, so pen strokes stay intact. Adjust the tolerance to also remove a yellowish paper tint, and trim the empty margins automatically.
Everything runs in your browser and your photos are never uploaded, so you can work on photos with faces safely.