Blur types explained
Not every blur hides things equally well. Here are the most common types, from most to least used, and when to pick each one.
1. Gaussian blur Most used
Smooth, natural softening. The default choice for faces, backgrounds, plates and screenshots. Raise the strength for private details.
2. Pixelate (mosaic)
The classic censor look made of big squares. Popular in vlogs, gaming clips and news style edits.
3. Black bar
Fully covers the area. The safest way to hide numbers, names and passwords because nothing remains to recover.
4. Frosted glass
A blur with a light white tint. Looks clean on thumbnails, banners and product shots.
5. Emoji cover
A blurred area topped with an emoji. A fun, on-brand way to hide a face in Shorts, Reels and TikToks.
Blur for YouTubers & content creators
Faces & bystanders
Blur people in street vlogs and event footage with the Oval tool.
Screen recordings
Hide emails, notifications, tabs, API keys, wallet addresses and stream keys in tutorials.
Thumbnails & Shorts
Use pixelate or emoji covers for a teaser look that gets clicks.
Streamers & gamers
Blur usernames, chat names, addresses and payment details before uploading highlights.
Comments & DMs
Hide names and handles when you react to screenshots of comments or messages.
Brand & product shots
Cover logos, labels, prices or competitor names in reviews and unboxings.
For videos, blur areas stay fixed for the whole clip. Use a slightly larger Oval or Box if a person moves, or split the clip into short parts. Videos export as WebM; convert to MP4 if a platform needs it.
How to blur an image in 4 steps
- Upload: tap Upload image, or choose a PDF or video from your phone or computer.
- Select: use Rectangle for text lines, boxes and faces, or Brush for freehand shapes.
- Adjust: move the blur strength to Strong until the hidden details cannot be read.
- Download: save the blurred PNG, PDF or WebM video and share it safely.
Blur An Image is a free online tool to blur an image in seconds, right in your browser. No sign-up, no watermark and no upload to a server, so private documents stay private.
Where to use it
Aadhaar & ID cards
Hide the Aadhaar number, VID, address, date of birth and QR code before sending a copy. Works for PAN, voter ID, licence and passport pages.
Text & screenshots
Blur phone numbers, emails, UPI IDs, order details and chats in WhatsApp or app screenshots.
Faces & photos
Protect children, bystanders or yourself by blurring faces and vehicle plates.
Bank & invoice PDFs
Blur account numbers, balances and customer details on chosen pages of a statement or bill.
Signatures & logos
Cover a signature, stamp or brand mark on a document or product photo.
Videos
Hide a name, number or face in a screen recording or short clip and export a new video.
Advantages
- Private by design: files never leave your device.
- App-like on mobile: thumb-friendly bottom bar for Android and iPhone.
- Images, PDFs and videos: one tool for all three.
- Multiple blur areas: with undo, clear and adjustable strength.
- Free forever: no account, no watermark.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blur An Image really free?
Yes. It is free, needs no account and adds no watermark.
Are my photos uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser, so your images, PDFs and videos are not sent to our server.
How do I blur an Aadhaar number?
Upload the image or PDF, drag a rectangle over the first 8 digits (and the QR code if needed), set blur to Strong and download. Keep only the last 4 digits visible when sharing.
How do I blur text in an image?
Choose Rectangle and drag over the line or paragraph. Use Brush for uneven areas, then raise the strength.
Can I blur part of a PDF?
Yes. Move through pages with Prev and Next, mark areas on each page and export. All pages are kept.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, in Chrome, Safari and other modern browsers. Drag with your finger to select an area. Video export works best in Chrome.
Which formats are supported?
JPG, PNG, WebP, PDF and common video formats. Images download as PNG, videos as WebM.
What is the most common blur type?
Gaussian blur is the most widely used for faces and backgrounds. Pixelate is the classic censor, and a black bar is the safest for sensitive text.
Can I blur faces and screen info in YouTube videos?
Yes. Upload the clip, mark the area with Oval or Box, pick a style and export. The blur stays in the same place for the whole video, with no motion tracking. Audio is included where your browser supports it (Chrome works best), so check the exported file.
Can the blur be undone?
Use Undo or Clear all inside the editor. After you download, the blur is permanent, so keep your original.