Pixelate faces and parts of a photo

Pixelating, or mosaic, turns part of a picture into large square blocks: the classic way to hide a face, a number plate or a name on a screen. Mosaic is already selected above, so paint over whatever you want to hide, or let PhotoBlur find the faces.

How to do it

1. Open your photo. Choose a file, drag it in, or paste it.
2. Pixelate the faces. Choose Blur faces: with Mosaic selected, every face it finds is pixelated.
3. Or paint it yourself. In Blur mode, paint over a number plate, a sign or any other area. Size sets the brush size.
4. Set the Block size. Bigger blocks hide more.
5. Download. Save the result at full resolution, with no watermark.

How big should the blocks be?

Small blocks keep the outline of what is underneath, and finely pixelated faces or text can sometimes be partly recognised. For anything private, use blocks large enough to cover a big part of the face or the text, or switch to a strong Blur.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between pixelate and blur?

Both hide detail. Mosaic shows clear square blocks; Blur gives a smooth, soft look. You can switch in the Effect section at any time, and everything you have painted changes with it.

Can I pixelate a number plate or text?

Yes. Paint over it in Blur mode with Mosaic selected. The automatic tools only find faces and people.

Are my photos uploaded?

No. Everything runs in your browser, on your device. Your photo is never sent anywhere.

Is it free?

Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark.

More tools: PhotoBlur home · Blur faces · Blur background · Pixelate