HelperCrateBackground Remover
Erase backgrounds by colour or with an on-device AI model, then refine with restore/erase brushes.
Runs in your browser. Some processing engines (e.g. ffmpeg.wasm) download on first use — your files never leave this device.
What Background Remover does
Background Remover isolates the subject of a picture and removes everything else, producing a clean cut-out with a transparent background. There are two ways to work: the AI mode recognises the subject automatically and is best for photos of people, pets and products, while the colour-pick mode removes a flat background such as a studio backdrop or a logo canvas.
The AI model runs on your own device. The first run downloads the model (about 40 MB) from a content network and caches it, so later runs start instantly and work offline. Nothing about your picture is uploaded for processing.
After the automatic pass you can refine the result with erase and restore brushes, undo and redo changes, and preview the cut-out over a checkerboard, a colour or another image before exporting as PNG, WebP or JPEG with an optional trim to the subject.
How to use Background Remover
- Drop a photo onto the page or click the dropzone to browse.
- For photos choose the AI — best for photos tab and click Remove background with AI. The first run downloads and caches the model.
- For flat backgrounds choose Pick colour, click the background in the preview, then adjust the tolerance and feather sliders until the mask looks clean. Only remove the connected region keeps similar colours elsewhere in the picture untouched.
- Refine edges with the Erase and Restore brushes, adjusting brush size and hardness. Use undo and redo freely while you work.
- Compare the result against the original with the before/after slider, and optionally use Trim to subject to crop away empty space.
- Choose a preview background (checkerboard, colour or image) and export as PNG or WebP to keep transparency, or JPEG if you need a flat background.
Features
- On-device AI segmentation that runs locally, using WebGPU when your browser supports it and WASM otherwise.
- Colour-based removal with tolerance and feather controls plus a connected-region option for flat studio backgrounds.
- Erase and restore brushes with adjustable size and hardness for fixing hair, fur and translucent edges.
- Undo/redo history, a before/after comparison slider and a preview background switcher.
- Export as PNG or WebP with transparency, or JPEG with a solid background, at a quality you choose.
- An optional trim that crops the canvas to the subject's bounding box.
Tips and common mistakes
- Start with the AI pass, then refine only the edges that need it — repainting an entire subject by hand is rarely necessary.
- For flat backgrounds, raise the feather value before reaching for the brushes; a soft feather hides colour fringes.
- View the result over a checkerboard before exporting, since small stray patches are easier to spot against transparency.
Frequently asked questions
Is my photo uploaded to a server for the AI to work?
No. The model is downloaded to your browser once and then runs entirely on your device. Your photo never leaves your computer or phone.
Which mode should I use for people and pets?
Use the AI mode. It recognises the subject and handles complex edges such as hair far better than colour removal. The colour-pick mode shines on flat backgrounds like product shots on a seamless backdrop.
Why does the first AI run take longer?
The first run downloads the segmentation model (roughly 40 MB) and compiles it for your device. That download is cached, so subsequent runs are much faster and work offline.
How do I keep the transparent background?
Export as PNG or WebP. JPEG does not support transparency, so choosing JPEG replaces the transparent area with a solid colour. For avatars with rounded or circular framing, pair the PNG with the Crop Image circular crop mode.
Can I fix parts the AI removed by mistake?
Yes — switch to the Restore brush and paint over the missing areas. The Erase brush removes anything the AI kept that should have gone. Both brushes respect the hardness setting, so softer edges blend better.
Related image tools: Image Compressor, Image Converter, Image Resizer.
Both removal modes run on your device. The AI model is downloaded once from a public content network, but your images are never uploaded or shared.