Before posting a photo, it is worth asking who or what is in the background. Faces of strangers, car number plates, addresses on letters and screens full of information can all be exposed. Blurring them takes a minute.
Blur, pixelate or black box?
- Blur softens an area. It looks natural but a light blur can sometimes be partly reversed with software, especially on text.
- Pixelate turns the area into large blocks. It is clear that something was hidden and is harder to reverse at a strong setting.
- Black box completely covers the area. It is the safest option for text, documents and anything truly sensitive.
For faces, a strong blur or pixelate is fine. For text, numbers, QR codes and card details, use the black box.
Step by step
- Open Blur Faces & Private Areas.
- Drop in your photo.
- Drag over each face or detail. Choose an oval for faces or a rectangle for text.
- Pick Blur, Pixelate or Black box and set the strength.
- Undo any mistake, then download. Everything runs on your device.
In Chrome and Edge builds that support face detection, the Find faces button can detect faces for you. Otherwise draw each area by hand.
What to hide
- Faces of people who did not agree to be photographed, particularly children
- Licence plates
- Street names, house numbers and mail
- Computer and phone screens, notifications and tabs
- ID cards, boarding passes, tickets and QR codes
- Reflections in glasses, windows and mirrors
Also remove hidden location data
Even if you blur the picture, the file may still contain GPS coordinates. Remove the EXIF data before you post, or check what is stored using the EXIF Data Viewer.
Blur the whole picture or just a background?
To blur an entire picture, for example as a background behind text, use Blur Image. The Keep sharp centre option creates a soft focus effect.
Tips for stronger privacy
- Cover a slightly larger area than the object.
- Use a strong setting, then zoom in to check nothing is readable.
- Save as a new copy. Do not overwrite the original, since you may need it later.
- Do not rely on a thin, semi-transparent overlay to hide text.
Is it enough to blur a face?
Blur hides facial features, but clothing, tattoos, surroundings and captions can still identify someone. Consider cropping the picture or choosing a different shot when anonymity really matters.
Blur or pixelate?
- Blur is softer and looks natural, but weak blur can sometimes be partly reversed.
- Pixelation is bold and obviously censored.
- A solid box is the safest for documents, since nothing remains underneath.
Use a strong effect. If a face is still recognisable at a glance, it is not hidden well enough.
What else to hide
People forget everything around the face: number plates, house numbers, street signs, name badges, screens, documents and reflections in windows or glasses. Check the background carefully before you post.
Do not forget the hidden data
A hidden location can undo your careful blurring. Run remove EXIF data after editing so the file does not carry GPS information.
Tools
Use blur face to cover specific areas, pixelate image for a bold block effect or blur image for background softening. Always export a new copy and keep your original safe.
Everything runs in your browser, so sensitive photos never leave your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is blurring a face enough to protect someone?
It hides facial features, but clothing, tattoos or surroundings can still identify a person. For strong anonymity consider cropping or choosing another shot.
Can blurred text be recovered?
Light blurs can sometimes be partly reversed. For text, numbers and documents use a black box or heavy pixelation instead.
Do I also need to remove location data?
Yes. Blurring changes only what is visible. The file can still contain GPS coordinates, which you can strip separately.
Can the tool detect faces automatically?
In some Chromium browsers with face detection enabled it can. Otherwise you draw over each face yourself, which only takes a few seconds.
