Screenshots and photos often carry more than you meant to share: an email address in a browser tab, a name on a parcel, a child's face in the background, a car registration. You can blur or redact part of an image for free with PixOtter, and because it runs on your device, the details you are hiding are never uploaded.
Black box, pixelate or blur?
| Effect | Best for | How safe |
|---|---|---|
| Black box | Passwords, card and account numbers, addresses, signatures | Safest: the pixels are gone |
| Pixelate | Faces and number plates in photos | Good at high strength; weaker on short text |
| Blur | Backgrounds, crowds, anything where looks matter | Good at high strength; avoid for text |
How to redact an image (step by step)
- Open the Blur & Redact tool and add your screenshot or photo.
- Choose an effect and, for pixelate or blur, a strength.
- Drag over each area you want to hide. Undo removes the last one.
- Download the redacted copy and check it before you share it.
What to look for before sharing
- Names, email addresses and phone numbers in screenshots, including browser tabs and notification banners.
- House numbers, street signs and car registrations in photos.
- Barcodes and QR codes on tickets and boarding passes, which can contain your booking details.
- Faces of other people, especially children, if you do not have their permission.
Redacting PDFs
This tool works on images. A PDF can contain hidden text behind what you see, so covering it with a shape in a PDF editor does not always remove it. A safe option is to turn the page into an image with PDFOtter's PDF to JPG, redact it here, then turn it back into a PDF with JPG to PDF.
Ready to blur & redact image?
Free, private and instant, right in your browser.
Open the Blur & Redact Image tool →Frequently asked questions
How do I blur part of a picture?
Add the image, choose Blur, drag over the part you want to hide and download the result. Repeat the drag for each area.
Which effect is safest for passwords or bank details?
The black box. It replaces the pixels completely. Light blur or large-block pixelation of short text can sometimes be guessed, so use a solid box for anything sensitive.
Is my original image changed?
No. PixOtter creates a new, redacted copy for you to download. Keep the original somewhere safe or delete it if you no longer need it.