Image redaction tool — black out, pixelate or blur, in your browser
Cover a name, address or other detail in a picture before you share it. Draw over the parts to hide, adjust the boxes and download a new image. Use a solid cover when the original detail needs to be removed.
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Check the downloaded image at full size; do not assume every drawn region was fully covered. Use an opaque solid block for names, addresses or other details that must be removed. Blur and pixelation keep information from the original picture. Check the downloaded image at full size for missed edges or gaps, and look for identifying details elsewhere in the picture too.Uncovered text, faces and other details can still identify someone. This is not a guarantee of anonymity. Images up to 50 megapixels (about 8000 × 6000). Larger files are refused rather than risking the tab being closed by the browser.
How to use
- Add an image. Drop a file, choose one, or press Ctrl/Cmd-V to paste a screenshot straight in.
- Choose a treatment. Choose Solid block to replace the selected detail with a colour. Blur and pixelation change its appearance but may leave enough information to recognise it.
- Cover the detail. Drag a rectangle around it, leaving a little room at the edges. The zoom slider lets you look more closely. Freehand is available too, but check for gaps around and between the strokes.
- Adjust the regions. Click a rectangle to select and move it, press Delete to remove it, or use the region list to nudge, resize and delete without a mouse.
- Look beyond the boxes. Use Compare with original to check what you covered. Look for the same detail elsewhere in the image, such as a repeated name or a reflection.
- Check the download. Choose a format and export, then open the saved image at full size. Keep the original separately and share the edited copy only after checking it.
Questions
Is blurring or pixelating safe for hiding text?
Do not rely on either for sensitive text. They keep information from the original pixels, and a short name or number may still be guessed or recognised. Choose an opaque solid cover, include the edges of the characters, and check the downloaded image.
Can the redaction be undone from the exported file?
The download is a flattened image, so there is no separate box to switch off. A fully opaque cover replaces the pixels underneath it. Blur and pixelation are different: flattening does not make the remaining detail safe. Other clues elsewhere in the picture can still identify someone.
Does exporting remove the metadata too?
The tool draws a new image rather than copying the original EXIF fields, such as camera details and GPS tags. That does not remove a location printed in the picture or a name in the filename. Inspect the saved file if metadata removal is important to your use.
Why does my exported JPEG have a white background?
JPEG does not support transparent areas, so this tool fills them with white. Choose PNG or WebP if you need to keep transparency.
Why should I check the downloaded file?
A small preview can hide a gap or a few readable letters. Open the download at full size and inspect the edges of every cover, especially freehand marks. It is the saved file, not the preview, that you will be sharing.
Can I use this on a phone?
You can draw with touch. The region list also has controls for adjusting and deleting covers, which can be easier than dragging a small box. Large pictures need more memory, so try a smaller file if your phone struggles.
What are the limits?
The editor checks for a maximum of 50 megapixels. File size in megabytes is not the same as the memory needed to open a picture, and decoding happens before that check. Your device can run short of memory with a smaller image too.
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