To blur an image in Canva, select the photo, open Edit > Tools > See all > Blur, choose Whole image, and adjust Intensity. To blur only part of the photo, choose Brush instead and paint over the area you want to soften. For automatic background blur, use Auto Focus.
The short version
- Entire photo: Choose Whole image in the Blur tool and adjust Intensity.
- Selected details: Choose Brush, adjust Brush size and Intensity, then paint over the target area.
- Background: Use Auto Focus, or blur the whole image and remove the blur from your subject.
- Starting without a design: Open Photo editor from Canva’s homepage and upload or choose a photo.
| Option | When to use it | Control or entry point |
|---|---|---|
| Whole image blur | Soften the entire photo | Blur > Whole image |
| Brush blur | Blur selected areas manually | Blur > Brush |
| Blur and restore | Keep your subject clear within a blurred photo | Whole image, then Brush > Remove |
| Projects | Start with a saved photo on desktop | Projects > All projects > Type > Images |
| Auto Focus | Automatically blur the background | Tools > See all > Auto Focus |
| Standalone photo editor | Upload or choose a photo from the homepage | Photo editor |
| Photo blur webpage | Start with an image upload in your browser | Upload your image |
| Frame Blur app | Draw an area for a blur effect | Apps Marketplace |
| Team editing restrictions | Get help when brand controls hide photo editing | Contact your team administrator |
Open the photo you want to blur
Inside a Canva design, select the photo you want to edit, then choose Edit. Open Tools > See all > Blur to reach the whole image and brush controls.
For a standalone photo edit, sign in to Canva and select Photo editor on the homepage, then upload or choose your photo. You can also enter through Quick Create or Create > Photo editor. From that editor, open Tools > See all > Blur.
Blur the whole image
With the Blur tool open, choose Whole image to soften the entire photo. Adjust Intensity to control the blur strength. If you want the effect on only one detail, choose Brush instead.
Blur a face or another selected area
To target a face, text, background, or object within a photo, open Edit > Tools > See all > Blur and choose Brush. Adjust Brush size to suit the area and Intensity to set the blur strength, then paint across your target.
If the blur extends beyond the intended area, you can erase the unwanted blur with Remove. Select Remove and paint over the areas you want to restore.
Blur the image and restore your subject
For a manual background effect, start by blurring everything and then restore your subject. Open Edit > Tools > See all > Blur, choose Whole image, and adjust Intensity.
You can then erase the blur from your subject while leaving the surrounding areas blurred. Switch to Brush, select Remove, and paint over the subject.
Blur the background automatically
To apply background blur automatically, select your photo and open Edit > Tools > See all > Auto Focus. Adjust Blur intensity and Focus position to change the effect.
You can also start from Projects > All projects > Images. Open the photo’s More menu, select Edit image, then choose Tools > See all > Auto Focus.
You can undo the automatic background blur by removing the effect. Select Remove Auto Focus to undo it. If you want to control the blurred areas manually, use Blur > Brush.
Start from Projects or an image upload
On desktop, you can open the blur controls directly from a saved photo. Go to Projects > All projects > Type > Images, then hover over the photo. Select More > Edit image > Tools > See all > Blur, and choose Whole image or Brush.
For a browser upload, open Canva’s photo blur tool and select Upload your image, or drag an image onto the upload area.
Use Frame Blur for a drawn area
To use the Frame Blur app inside Canva, sign in, open Apps Marketplace, and search for Frame Blur. Alternatively, open the Frame Blur app listing and select Open app. Choose a design, then draw an area and apply a blur effect within the app.
If you want the built-in Brush size, Intensity, and Remove controls, open Canva’s own blur tool. Select your photo and choose Edit > Tools > See all > Blur > Brush.
Fix missing editing controls
If Edit is missing when you select a photo in a managed Canva team, brand controls may be restricting photo editing. Contact your team administrator about those restrictions so you can access the editing tools.
If you are looking under Effects because of older instructions, Canva has reorganized that section of the photo editor. Open Edit > Tools > See all > Blur to reach the current controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is blurring a photo in Canva free?
Canva advertises photo blurring as free. You can start through its public photo blur upload page and use the editor’s Blur controls.
Can you blur photos in Canva on mobile?
Yes, Canva’s current mobile photo editor supports Whole image and Brush blur. On mobile, tap the photo, then tap Image Tools > Blur from the editor toolbar. You can also use Auto Focus for automatic background blur.
Can you switch back to Canva’s old photo editor?
You can no longer access Canva’s old photo editor or its editing apps. Use the current Blur or Auto Focus tools instead.
Who makes Frame Blur, and does it require a paid Canva plan?
Frame Blur is a third-party app by Avari BV. Canva lists it as free with any Canva plan.