Blur Photo Background

Features

• AI subject detection (BiRefNet) — blurs only the background, keeps subject sharp
• Works on portraits, products, pets, and selfies — clean separation around hair, fur, fine edges
• DSLR-quality shallow depth of field without an actual DSLR
• Output as JPG (default) or PNG with transparency support
• Pair with <a href="/tools/image-remove-background">background remover</a> for full subject cut-outs

Frequently Asked Questions

How does AI photo background blur work?

We run BiRefNet — a neural network trained for high-resolution salient-object segmentation — to identify your subject and produce a soft mask. Then we apply gaussian blur to only the background pixels and composite the sharp subject back on top. The result mimics the bokeh from a DSLR with a wide-aperture lens.

Will it work on photos without people?

Yes — BiRefNet is trained on a wide range of subject classes including products, pets, food, plants, and objects. As long as there's a clear primary subject in the foreground, the model will detect it. Abstract scenes without a clear subject (landscapes, textures) won't work — pick the manual blur tool instead.

How is this different from blurring with a regular photo editor?

Manual blur tools blur the entire image or require you to mask the subject by hand — slow and rarely clean around hair or fur. AI background blur detects the subject automatically with sub-pixel accuracy, so the background blurs cleanly without smudging the subject's edges.

Will it look as good as iPhone Portrait Mode?

Comparable for most photos. iPhone Portrait Mode uses depth data from dual cameras during the shoot; this tool reconstructs the same effect from a single image using BiRefNet. For the cleanest result, take the source photo with good subject-background contrast and decent lighting.

Can I control the blur strength?

Currently fixed at a high-quality default tuned to mimic a 50mm f/1.8 lens. We're tracking the request — let us know on the Discord if you'd like an intensity slider.

Is this free? Are there limits?

Free for up to 5 photos per hour without sign-up. Sign-up gets you 5 free credits/day; Pro removes the per-hour cap. Output never has a watermark.

Will my photo be uploaded to a server?

Yes — the BiRefNet AI runs on our GPU. Your photo is processed and deleted within minutes; we never store inputs longer than needed for processing. See our privacy policy for details.

Can I blur the background of a video too?

Yes — use the video portrait-mode tool. Same BiRefNet AI, applied frame-by-frame to MP4, MOV, MKV, or WebM input.