How to Remove the Background From an Image

How to remove a background in 3 steps

1. Add your image

   Open Remove Background and drop in a JPG, PNG or WebP up to 30 MB.

2. Remove the background

   Click Remove background. The subject is found automatically, with nothing to trace by hand.

3. Download the PNG

   Click Download PNG to save a transparent image at full resolution.

Photos that give the cleanest cut-out

• Clear subject: one person, product or object that stands out from the background.
• Good light: even lighting gives sharper edges than dim or backlit shots.
• Contrast: a dark jacket against a dark wall is harder than a dark jacket against a light one.
• Resolution: larger photos keep finer detail such as hair.

How to remove a background on iPhone

On iPhone with iOS 16 or later, open the photo in Photos, then touch and hold the subject until it glows. Tap Copy or Share to use the cut-out. It works well for quick stickers. For a full-size transparent PNG file, use Remove Background in Safari.

How to remove a background on a Mac

On macOS Ventura or later, right-click an image in Finder and choose Quick Actions > Remove Background. A new copy with the background removed appears next to the original.

How to remove a background in PowerPoint, Photoshop and Canva

• PowerPoint: select the picture, then Picture Format > Remove Background, and mark areas to keep or remove.
• Photoshop: open the image and click Remove Background in the Quick Actions of the Properties panel.
• Canva: the Background Remover is part of Canva Pro, so it needs a paid plan.

If you only need the transparent image, it is often quicker to cut it out once in Remove Background and insert the PNG into PowerPoint, Google Slides or Canva.

What to do with your cut-out

• Add a new background: place the PNG on a solid color or a new photo in Canva, Google Slides, PowerPoint or Keynote.
• Make a product photo: put it on pure white for marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy, which prefer plain backgrounds.
• Resize it: use Resize Image for exact dimensions, such as 1080 × 1080 for Instagram.
• Keep it transparent: always save and send the cut-out as PNG, because JPG turns transparent areas white.

Fine details such as hair come out best from sharp, well-lit photos where the subject stands out clearly from the background.

What people use transparent images for

• Product photos on a clean white or colored background for Amazon, Etsy or Shopify.
• Headshots for LinkedIn, résumés and company pages.
• Logos placed over photos or colored slides.
• Stickers, thumbnails and social media graphics.

Frequently asked questions