| Format | Transparency | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | Yes | General use and editing |
| WebP | Yes | Websites |
| SVG | Yes | Logos and vector graphics |
| JPEG | No | Photos on a solid background |
Background Remover
Background removal separates the subject from everything around it and leaves transparency. The result depends on the photo more than on the tool.
This tool is not available yet
We are preparing it. Until then, you will find practical guidance here, and the favicon generator and watermark tool already work.
See all toolsHow background removal works
Software decides which pixels belong to the subject and which to the background, then makes the background transparent. Simple methods look for a uniform colour. Modern ones use trained models that recognize people, products and other objects, even against a more complex background.
How to shoot for a clean result
A little preparation saves a lot of fixing afterwards:
- Photograph the subject against an even background that contrasts with it.
- Use soft light without hard shadows.
- Keep the focus on the subject, with clear edges.
- Leave space around the subject, without cropping it out of the frame.
Which formats keep transparency
Save the result in a format with transparency. JPEG does not support transparency and will bring back a solid background, usually white.
Cut-out images in print
On stickers and other contour-cut products, the subject's edges become the edge of the finished piece, so halos and jagged lines show more than on screen. For logos, it is best to work from the vector original rather than a cut-out photo of the logo.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there a coloured halo around the subject?
Semi-transparent edges keep some of the old background's colour. A photo on a neutral, contrasting background helps, as does correcting the outline by hand.
Which photos are the hardest?
Hair, fur, glass and transparent materials, as well as subjects close in colour to the background.
Why did the transparent background turn white when saved?
The file was probably saved as a JPEG, which does not support transparency. Save it as PNG or WebP.
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