How to Blur an Image
Blur an image to hide sensitive information, create a soft focus effect, or prepare a background. Here are every free method — online, desktop and mobile.
Method 1: Online (fastest, any device)
Go to quicktoolshub.org/blur-image. Upload your image, drag the blur slider (1px = subtle, 20px = heavy), and download. Nothing is sent to a server. Works on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android.
Method 2: Photoshop
- Open your image: File > Open
- Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur
- Set the Radius (2–10px for subtle, 10–30px for strong)
- Click OK and save
For selective blur (blur only part of the image): make a selection first, then apply the filter — only the selected area blurs.
Method 3: GIMP (free desktop)
- Open your image in GIMP
- Go to Filters > Blur > Gaussian Blur
- Set the size (X and Y radius) and click OK
- Export: File > Export As
Method 4: Canva
- Click on the image in your Canva design
- Click Edit image in the top toolbar
- In the Adjustments panel, find Blur and drag the slider
- Click Apply
Method 5: CSS (for developers)
/* Blur entire image */
img { filter: blur(4px); }
/* Blur background without affecting content */
.hero {
background-image: url('photo.jpg');
}
.hero::before {
content: '';
position: absolute;
inset: 0;
background: inherit;
filter: blur(10px);
z-index: -1;
}
/* Frosted glass effect */
.card { backdrop-filter: blur(10px); }Method 6: iPhone / Android
The built-in Photos apps on both platforms don't have a blur filter. Use Snapseed (free) — open the image, go to Tools > Lens Blur for portrait-style background blur, or use the online tool in your mobile browser.
Blur your image now — free, instant
Upload, set intensity, download. No sign-up, no upload to server.
Use Blur Image Tool →Frequently asked questions
How do I blur an image online for free?
Go to quicktoolshub.org/blur-image. Upload your image, drag the blur intensity slider to set the strength (1px for subtle, 20px for heavy), and click Download. The blur processes entirely in your browser — your image is never uploaded to a server.
How do I blur an image in Photoshop?
Open your image in Photoshop. Go to Filter > Blur and choose a blur type. Gaussian Blur gives a smooth, uniform blur — go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, set the radius (1–20px for most uses), and click OK. For a selective blur, use the Blur Tool in the toolbar or apply the filter to a masked layer.
How do I blur an image in Canva?
In Canva, click on the image. In the toolbar, click Edit image > Blur (in the Adjustments section). Drag the slider to set the blur amount and click Apply. Note: Canva's blur applies to the entire image. For selective blur (e.g., blur background), use Canva's Background Remover or Smart Mockup feature.
How do I blur an image on iPhone?
The built-in Photos app on iPhone does not have a blur filter. Options: (1) Open the image in Markup (tap Edit > three-dot menu > Markup), but this only allows drawing, not blur. (2) Use the Snapseed app (free) — open image, go to Tools > Lens Blur for background blur, or Selective > Blur for specific areas. (3) Use the online blur tool at quicktoolshub.org/blur-image in Safari.
How do I blur an image in CSS?
Use the CSS filter property: img { filter: blur(4px); }. The value is in pixels — higher values create a stronger blur. You can also blur a background image: .element { background-image: url('image.jpg'); filter: blur(4px); } or use backdrop-filter for a frosted glass effect: .element { backdrop-filter: blur(10px); }
How do I blur part of an image?
Partial blur (selective blur) requires a more capable editor. In Photoshop: duplicate the layer, apply blur to the top layer, then add a mask and paint black over the areas you want to keep sharp. In GIMP (free): use Filters > Blur on a selection. In Snapseed (free mobile app): use the Selective tool and set blur as the adjustment. The online tool at quicktoolshub.org/blur-image applies blur to the whole image.