How to use Remove background
- 1
Choose a photo (JPG, PNG or WebP), ideally of a person with a clear outline.
- 2
Keep the background transparent, or choose white or any other colour.
- 3
Press "Remove background". The photo goes to our server, and the cut-out is usually ready in a few seconds.
- 4
Check the before and after preview, then download the PNG.
What this tool does
Remove background separates the person in a photo from everything behind them. You get a PNG where the background is transparent, ready to drop onto a slide, a design or a new backdrop, or with a solid colour behind the subject if you prefer.
How it works
The tool runs MODNet, an open portrait-matting model released under the Apache-2.0 licence, on our own server. The model looks at a smaller copy of your photo and predicts a soft mask of the person, so hair and edges blend smoothly instead of looking cut out with scissors. That mask is then enlarged and applied to your original pixels.
Features
- Full-resolution output: the PNG matches your original's dimensions.
- Transparent, white or any colour behind the subject.
- Before and after preview next to the download.
- Quick on any device: the heavy work happens on our server, so an older phone is just as fast as a new laptop.
Limits
- Built for people. Objects, pets and busy scenes without a person may give poor results.
- Very fine detail such as flyaway hair or see-through fabric can look slightly soft.
- One photo at a time, up to 25 MB (50 MB with a free account).
- 20 photos a day without an account and 60 with a free one, shared with Upscale image.
Where your photo is processed
Your photo is sent over an encrypted connection to our own server, where the AI model runs. It isn't passed to any outside AI service. The upload is deleted as soon as the cut-out is made, and the PNG when its 15-minute download window closes, so everything is gone within 1 hour, or at once if you press "Delete from our server now". File names and contents aren't written to our logs.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of photos work best?
The AI model (MODNet) is trained for portraits, so it does best on photos of one or more people, such as head-and-shoulders shots, selfies and full-body photos. Products, animals and scenes without people may be cut out poorly. A subject that stands out clearly from the background gives the cleanest edges.
Is the result full resolution?
Yes. The model works on a smaller copy of the photo to find the subject, then the cut-out mask is scaled up and applied to your original pixels, so the PNG has exactly the same width and height as your photo.
Can I put a white or coloured background behind the subject?
Yes. Pick White or choose any colour before pressing the button. The PNG is then fully opaque, ready for ID-style photos or marketplace listings.
How many photos can I do?
Without an account you can remove the background from 20 photos a day, and from 60 with a free account. This limit is shared with Upscale image. Each photo can be up to 25 MB, or 50 MB when you are signed in.
Where is my photo processed?
On our server, which runs the AI model so it works quickly on any phone or computer. The photo travels over an encrypted connection and is deleted automatically, the upload as soon as the cut-out is made and everything within 1 hour. You can also delete it yourself straight away.