The simplest way to change a picture's background
The easiest method depends on what you're starting with. If your picture has a solid background — a white wall, a plain sky, a colored sheet — you can change it in seconds using free tools built into Windows or Mac. If the background is complex or blended with the subject, you'll need a tool that lets you select just the background first, which takes a few minutes but is still straightforward once you know the steps.
Most people reach for either their computer's built-in photo editor or a free online tool like Pixlr or Photopea. Both work well. The built-in option is faster if you're already at your computer; the online tool works from any device and needs no installation.
Key Takeaways
- Windows Photos app and Mac Preview can change background color in under a minute if the background is solid or nearly solid.
- For complex backgrounds, use the selection tool first to isolate the background, then fill it with your chosen color.
- Free online editors like Pixlr and Photopea work on any device and offer more control than built-in tools.
- The "magic wand" or "fuzzy select" tool picks similar colors automatically, saving time on backgrounds that are one main color.
- Always save your edited picture as a new file so you keep the original unchanged.
Using Windows Photos to change the background
Open the picture in the Windows Photos app — right-click the file, choose "Open with", and select Photos. Once the picture is open, click the pencil icon (Edit) at the top right. This opens the editing panel.
Look for the "Background" or "Remove background" option in the toolbar. Click it. Windows will automatically detect what it thinks is the background and highlight it in red. If the selection is correct, click "Done" and move to the next step. If it selected the wrong part, click "Undo" and try a different tool.
Once the background is selected, click the paint bucket icon or "Fill" option. Choose your new color from the palette that appears. Click "explore" and then save the file. Use "Save as" so you keep the original picture untouched.
Using Mac Preview to change the background
Open the picture in Preview (the default image viewer on Mac). Click the Markup toolbar button — it looks like a toolbox — at the top right. If you don't see it, go to Tools menu and select "Annotate".
Look for the selection tool that looks like a lasso or rectangle. Use it to select the background area you want to change. If the background is a solid color, try the "when ready Alpha" tool instead — it lets you click and drag to remove colors similar to the one you clicked. Once the background is selected, right-click and choose "Fill" or use the Format menu to pick a new color.
Preview's tools are simpler than a full editor, so if the background is complex or blended with your subject, you may get better results with an online tool instead. Save your edited version with a new filename.
Using Pixlr online for more control
Go to pixlr.com in your web browser and click "Open" to upload your picture. You don't need to create an account for basic editing. Once the picture loads, look for the selection tools on the left side of the screen.
Click the "Magic Wand" tool (it looks like a wand with sparkles). This tool automatically selects areas of similar color — perfect for backgrounds that are mostly one shade. Click on the background you want to change. Pixlr will highlight it in marching ants (a moving dotted line). If it selected too much or too little, hold Shift and click to add to the selection, or hold Alt and click to subtract from it.
Once the background is selected, go to Edit menu and choose "Fill with color". Pick your new color from the palette. Click OK. The background changes when ready. Go to File menu and choose "Export" to read your edited picture. Give it a new name so you don't overwrite the original.
Using Photopea for detailed background work
Photopea (photopea.com) works like Photoshop and is free. Upload your picture by going to File menu and clicking "Open". Once it loads, you have several ways to select the background.
The fastest is the "Select by Color" tool — click the tool that looks like a finger pointing at colors on the left toolbar, then click on the background. Photopea selects all similar colors. For backgrounds that blend into your subject, use the "Free Select" tool (lasso) to draw around the background by hand, or use "Quick Selection" to paint over the area you want to change.
Once the background is selected, go to Edit menu and choose "Fill". Pick your color and click OK. If the edge looks rough or unnatural, go to Select menu, choose "Modify", then "Feather" and enter 2 or 3 pixels. This softens the edge. Export your file by going to File menu and choosing "Export As".
Choosing the right tool for your picture
Use Windows Photos or Mac Preview if your background is solid or nearly solid — they're the fastest and require no learning curve. Use Pixlr if your background is one main color but your subject has fine details like hair or fur — the Magic Wand tool handles this well and the interface is straightforward. Use Photopea if your background is complex, blended, or has multiple colors — it gives you the most control and the best selection tools.
All three are free. The time difference between them is usually just a few minutes, so if you're unsure, start with the built-in tool on your computer. If it doesn't work well, upload to Pixlr instead.
Saving your edited picture correctly
Always use "Save As" or "Export As" rather than "Save". This creates a new file and leaves your original picture unchanged. Name the new file something clear — "photo_blue_background" instead of "photo_edited" — so you know what you changed.
If you're saving from a built-in tool, choose a common format like JPG or PNG. JPG is smaller and works everywhere; PNG keeps the picture quality higher but takes more storage. If you changed the background to a color and want to keep that color solid and clean, PNG is the better choice. For online tools like Pixlr or Photopea, the export dialog will ask which format you want — choose PNG if you're not sure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the tool selected my subject instead of the background?
Click Undo and try again. If you used the Magic Wand or Select by Color tool, click on a different part of the background — sometimes clicking near an edge works better than clicking in the middle. If the background is very similar in color to your subject, you may need to use the Free Select or Lasso tool to draw around the background by hand instead.
Can I change the background to a picture instead of a solid color?
Yes, but it requires a few extra steps. After you select the background, instead of filling it with color, go to Edit menu and choose "Paste as" or "Place". Upload the new background picture you want. You can then resize and position it behind your subject. This works best in Photopea or Pixlr, not in the built-in tools.
Why does the edge of my subject look rough or jagged after I change the background?
The selection tool picked up some stray pixels at the edge. In Photopea or Pixlr, before you fill the background, go to Select menu and choose Feather (usually 2 to 5 pixels). This softens the edge so it blends better. If you already filled it, undo and try again with feathering turned on first.
How do I change the background if it has shadows or gradients?
Use the Free Select tool to draw around the background by hand, or use Quick Selection and paint over the area. The Magic Wand won't work well because shadows and gradients have many different colors. Take your time drawing the selection — you can zoom in to see details better. Once the selection is good, fill it with your new color.
What format should I save in if I want to use the picture on a website?
Save as PNG if the background is a solid color — it keeps the color clean and sharp. Save as JPG if the picture has lots of colors and gradients — it's smaller and loads faster on websites. Most website builders accept both formats, so either works.