How to blur an image
- Upload the image you want to blur.
- Drag the blur strength slider until the preview looks right.
- Apply the blur.
- Download the blurred image.
How blur strength works
The strength sets the blur radius in pixels: how far each pixel's colour is spread into its neighbours. The same radius looks stronger on a small image than on a large one, so very high-resolution photos may need a higher setting to achieve the same softness you see on a small preview.
A light blur of a few pixels softens noise and fine texture, while a strong blur turns a photo into a smooth wash of colour, which is what most background effects use.
Blur is not redaction
Blurring is not a reliable way to hide sensitive information. Lightly blurred text, number plates or faces can sometimes be guessed or partially reconstructed. To hide something for privacy or legal reasons, cover it completely with a solid shape in an editor, and check the result before sharing.
Creative uses
Blurred photos make excellent backgrounds for quotes, social posts and presentation slides, because text stays readable on top. They are also used for frosted-glass effects, soft wallpapers and lightweight placeholder images. To add the text, use Add Text to Image; to restore crispness to a different image, use Sharpen Image.
Frequently asked questions
Is blurring safe for hiding private information?
Not reliably. Cover sensitive details completely with a solid shape instead.
Why do the edges look different?
Blur mixes each pixel with its neighbours; at the image edges there are fewer neighbours, so edges can look slightly lighter or darker.
Can I undo a blur after downloading?
No. Keep your original file; the downloaded image is a new copy.
Is my image uploaded?
No. The blur is applied in your browser.