What does Blur Image Area do?
Blur Image Area is a free online tool that can blur a chosen rectangular area of an image. The PNG result from Blur Image Area is a separate copy to inspect before you use it elsewhere. One possible use is non-sensitive demonstration faces blurred for an example.
This tool blurs a rectangle that you specify manually. The region field uses WxH+X+Y geometry, while a separate setting controls blur strength.
It can be used to obscure a face or another area, but it does not on its own locate faces or promise anonymity. Check the full image for reflections, extra people, name badges and other identifiers.
A manually chosen rectangle can miss parts of the subject if its width and height or offsets are wrong. The region field selects a rectangle by size and position.
It does not detect faces on its own. A face outside the rectangle can remain clear.
Use the source pixel size to place the region. Inspect the result at full size before assuming a blur is strong enough for your purpose.
Blur a selected image rectangle online: steps
Before using Blur Image Area, decide what the new copy must contain and where it will be used. Locate the region in pixels and choose a rectangle that covers the full area you intend to blur. Review the upload area and all values required by the current Blur Image Area form.
Choose the source
Check that the chosen rectangle covers the intended face. For Blur Image Area, choose one source from your device. Keep a source copy for another attempt.
Review the form values
Region WxH+X+Y controls a value used by Blur Image Area. The starting Region WxH+X+Y value is 200x200+0+0.
Blur strength controls a value used by Blur Image Area. The starting Blur strength value is 12.
Run the file task
Use Process Blur Image Area after checking the source and form values. Wait for the job to finish. An error means this attempt failed.
Save and check the output
Check the result at full size and check whether the subject remains easy to spot from features outside the region. Store the output on your device. Name this copy separately from the original.
Blur region: uses for Blur Image Area
Blur Image Area can help with chosen background details softened in a photo. It can also be used for rectangular areas obscured before a manual privacy review. The PNG result from Blur Image Area must suit the intended reading or editing step, so keep the source until that check is complete.
- Non-sensitive demonstration faces blurred for an example.
- Chosen background details softened in a photo.
- Rectangular areas obscured before a manual privacy review.
- Owned pictures tested for a localized blur effect.
Formats and limits for Blur Image Area
The Blur Image Area form accepts the image formats in the table sources. Each Blur Image Area upload can be up to 300 MB, which equals 300 MiB. The allowed suffixes on the Blur Image Area page do not prove that a source has valid content inside it.
| Accepted formats | Maximum file size | Output |
|---|---|---|
| JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP | 300 MB per file (300 MiB upload limit) | PNG |
Blur can leave identifiable details. This is not a certified anonymization method, and the tool applies only the manually entered region.
How this tool works
Blur Image Area uses ImageMagick to handle the source on the server. The Blur Image Area request uses your chosen input rather than any local editing project left on your device. Check the PNG contents produced by Blur Image Area before treating them as ready for another app or reader.
For Blur Image Area, your browser uploads the source to our file-processing server. This is a server task, not local editing.
Files are due for deletion within 1 hour. Cleanup runs during normal service operation. Keep a local download for future use.
Blur Image Area questions and answers
If Blur Image Area gives an unexpected result, start by checking the source type and the values used in the form. Check the PNG contents from Blur Image Area as well as the filename or displayed message. For another result type, compare Blur Image Area with the separate tools described in these answers.
What matters when using Blur Image Area?
Look for visible identifying details outside the blurred region. View that area at its intended display size. Note any differences that affect your purpose.
Why try Pixelate Image?
Pixelate Image offers another task beside Blur Image Area: apply pixelation/mosaic effect to image. Pixelate Image returns PNG. The stated PNG output from Blur Image Area matches a listed input type for Pixelate Image.
Why try Crop Image?
Crop Image offers another task beside Blur Image Area: crop image by geometry string. Crop Image returns PNG. The stated PNG output from Blur Image Area matches a listed input type for Crop Image.
Why try Remove EXIF Metadata?
Remove EXIF Metadata offers another task beside Blur Image Area: remove image metadata tags with ExifTool. Remove EXIF Metadata returns JPG. The stated PNG output from Blur Image Area matches a listed input type for Remove EXIF Metadata.
What if my PNG result does not open?
For a failed Blur Image Area result, first confirm that the download completed and that the viewer supports PNG. Try another local viewer for that format.
Record any error message for support. Keep private source material out of the report.
How do I report a problem with Blur Image Area?
Contact support with the Blur Image Area page name, source format and the error you saw. Mention any relevant form settings you chose. Do not send passwords or private attachments.