How to redact an image
Load an image, mark each sensitive area, choose a redaction method, review the regions, and export. The edited image is created locally in your browser.
- Drop one or more images onto the drop zone, or click browse files. The drop zone lists JPG, PNG, WEBP, GIF, and BMP.
- Optionally click Suggest faces. Where supported, it creates local face suggestions; use Accept all, Dismiss all, or the individual Accept and Dismiss controls. Suggestions never redact automatically.
- Pick a redaction method, click Draw on image, and drag a rectangle over the area you want to obscure.
- Adjust Radius, Block size, or Color as applicable. Use Edit shape to resize or reposition a region, and reorder or remove regions as needed.
- Check the review box to confirm every region on the current image is correct - any further edit un-confirms it, so you always review the final state.
- Choose an output format and click Apply & export this image. The completed image then appears in the file list.
- Use Download image for an individual result, or repeat the process for other files and use Download all as ZIP.
Choose a redaction method
- Blur applies the browser canvas blur filter. Adjust Radius. Blur and light pixelation may be reconstructable.
- Pixelate replaces detail with blocks. Adjust Block size.
- Solid fill covers the region with an opaque color. Choose it with Color.
- Edge crop removes pixels by trimming the canvas, so it changes the output dimensions. The region must touch an image edge and span essentially the full perpendicular dimension.
Load, mark, and review regions
Draw each region on the preview, then use Edit shape to redraw its bounds. Suggested face regions remain proposals until you accept them. Review the final region list and tick the review checkbox before exporting. Drawing, editing, reordering, removing, or accepting a suggestion clears the review confirmation.
Choose output settings and export
Output format offers PNG (lossless, alpha), WebP (alpha), and JPEG (no alpha). Quality appears for WebP and JPEG and ranges from 1% to 100%. After you click Apply & export this image, use Download image in the file list. Each completed file also has Download redaction manifest; Download all as ZIP downloads the completed files together.
Limitations and metadata
Redaction is irreversible in the exported image. An invalid Edge crop region is skipped and flagged; merely touching an edge is not enough because the region must also span essentially the full perpendicular dimension. Solid fill makes its covered region opaque, while Edge crop removes pixels by changing the canvas dimensions.
The redaction manifest is a JSON record of every configured region, including its method, coordinates, source, and image dimensions. An invalid crop remains in the manifest with a skipped flag. The manifest does not contain original pixel data and cannot reverse the edit.
Export does not remove metadata such as EXIF, GPS, IPTC, or XMP. Remove metadata separately if needed. The implementation does not specify a maximum file size, maximum image dimensions, or a complete browser compatibility matrix.
Common uses
Faces in crowd photos
Blur or pixelate bystanders' faces before sharing event or street photography.
License plates and signage
Fill or pixelate plates, house numbers, or visible screens in photos.
Documents and screenshots
Solid-fill or crop account numbers, names, or other identifying text in a screenshot.
Frequently asked questions
Is redaction with this tool reversible?
No. Redactions are baked permanently into the exported pixels. Blur and light pixelation may be reconstructable; solid fill or edge crop removes the covered content from the exported result.
Does this tool detect faces automatically and redact them for me?
It can suggest possible face locations using local, on-device detection where supported, but it never redacts anything automatically. Accept or dismiss each suggestion, then review every region before export.
Does exporting remove hidden metadata like EXIF or GPS data?
No. This tool only redacts the pixel regions you define; it does not inspect, strip, or alter embedded metadata. Remove that separately if needed.
Are my images uploaded anywhere?
No. Loading, previewing, face suggestions, and export happen locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server.
Can I use this for general photo effects?
It is built for redaction, not general effects. It does not offer color grading, borders, or decorative filters; use the Image Effects Editor for those tasks.