Background Removal, Cropping and Masking: What Is the Difference?

Cropping: change the frame

• Cropping cuts away the outer parts of the picture and keeps a rectangle.
• Nothing inside the frame is changed. The pixels you keep stay at full resolution; only the area outside is removed.
• Use it when you need a different shape: a square for a profile picture, 4:5 for a feed post, 16:9 for video or a slide.
• Tool: the Crop image tool on this site works on your device, so the photo is not uploaded. It offers ratios such as 1:1, 4:5, 16:9 and 9:16.

Background removal (cutting out): keep the subject, remove the rest

• Background removal separates the subject from what is behind it. People also call this "cutting out" the subject.
• The result has transparent areas where the background was, so the subject can be placed on another colour or picture.
• Use it for product pictures, stickers, slides and thumbnails.
• Tool: Background remover. One run gives a transparent PNG and a white-background PNG. The long side of the result is 1024 px. The page says it works best for products with clear edges. See how to make a transparent background PNG.

Masking: hide without deleting

• A mask is a layer that decides which parts of a picture are visible. Black areas of the mask hide, white areas show.
• The hidden pixels are still there, so you can change your mind later.
• Masks are used in desktop photo editors, where you work in layers. They are useful when you need a careful edge, for example around hair, and want to adjust it by hand.
• This site does not have a manual masking editor. If you need hand-made edges, use an image editor after cutting out.

"Cutting out" in everyday talk

Some people say "cut out" for cropping and some for removing the background. If you are unsure what someone means, ask them to show an example. In this guide, "cut out" means removing the background.

Which one do you need?

1. You need a different shape or less empty space around the subject

   Crop.

2. You need the subject on a different background, or with no background

   Remove the background.

3. You need to hide part of a picture and be able to bring it back

   Use a mask in an image editor.

4. You need more than one of these

   Crop first to remove empty space, then remove the background. Check the result at the size you will use.

Frequently asked questions