Blur is the quiet workhorse of image editing: soften a photo into a dreamy abstract, create a smooth background for text overlays and wallpapers, de-emphasize a busy scene, or obscure details without the harshness of pixelation. This tool applies a high-quality gaussian-style blur that stays smooth even at extreme radii — no boxy artifacts.
One honest slider: Blur radius. Small values (2–6) gently soften; medium values (10–25) create wallpaper-grade backgrounds; large values (30–60) dissolve the photo into pure color gradients that make gorgeous banners and slide backdrops. Full-resolution export, free, and 100% local to your device.
How to add the blur effect to a photo
Tips for the best blur look
- Blurred photos make perfect text backgrounds — blur at 20–35, then add your title in any design tool.
- A colorful photo blurred at maximum radius becomes an abstract gradient wallpaper — try sunsets.
- To hide a detail while keeping the photo natural, blur strongly and reduce Strength so texture survives.
Blur effect — FAQ
What kind of blur is this?
A multi-pass box blur that closely approximates a gaussian blur — the industry-standard soft blur — while staying fast enough to preview live in your browser, even on large images.
Can I blur just the background, not the subject?
This tool blurs the whole frame. For a fake depth-of-field effect, a common trick is to export a blurred copy and combine it with the original in a layered editor. A selective blur tool may come to PhotoEffect later.
Does blurring reduce my image resolution?
No — the pixel dimensions stay exactly the same; only the detail within them is smoothed. A 4000×3000 photo exports at 4000×3000, just softer.