Is my photo sent to an outside service?

No. The model runs on ConvertNicely's own workers, in the same place every other conversion runs — and so does the background image, if you upload one. Nothing goes to a third-party API, both files are deleted automatically after processing, and you can delete them yourself from the result panel the moment you have downloaded the result.

What happens if my background image is a different shape?

It is scaled up or down until it covers your photo's frame, then cropped evenly from the middle — so nothing is ever stretched or squashed, and there are never bars down the sides. A wide landscape behind a tall portrait will lose its left and right edges. The preview shows you exactly which part survives before you run anything.

Can I use a transparent PNG as the background?

Yes, and by default its transparency is filled in with white so you get a normal opaque picture. If you want the see-through parts kept, turn on ‘Keep the background’s transparency’ under advanced options and save as PNG or WebP. JPG cannot store transparency at all, so choosing it fills the transparent areas in regardless — and the result panel tells you when that has happened.

Which format should I save as?

PNG if the edges matter or you need transparency; it is lossless, and also the largest. JPG if the new background is a photograph and you want a small file — it is usually several times smaller. WebP if the file is going on a website and you want a small file that can still be transparent. You can always convert it afterwards with one of the format tools.

How is this different from removing the background?

It is the same first step. Background removal stops once the subject is cut out and hands you a transparent PNG to drop onto whatever you like next; this one puts the new background on for you. If you already know what goes behind the subject, do it here in one pass — if you do not, remove the background and decide later.

Why does it take a few seconds when other tools are instant?

Because it is doing something different in kind. The other tools re-encode a file; this one runs a neural network over it to decide what the subject is, then composites the result. That work happens on a dedicated pool of workers so it never slows the ordinary conversions down, and a typical photo takes a few seconds.

Is this converter free?

Yes. Every conversion on ConvertNicely is free to use, with no account, no watermark on the result and no limit on how many files you convert.

What happens to my files?

Your uploaded file is deleted from our servers the moment the conversion finishes, whether it succeeded or failed. The converted result is deleted automatically one hour later, and you can delete it yourself at any time with the Delete button.

Is there a file size limit?

Files up to 25 MB are accepted for this conversion. Larger limits apply to paid plans in future, but the free limit is generous enough for the overwhelming majority of PNG conversions.

Do I need to install anything?

No. ConvertNicely runs entirely in your browser and on our servers, so there is nothing to download or install. It works the same on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes. The whole site is built mobile-first, so you can upload from your camera roll or files app, convert, and download the result without leaving your browser.

Free

Change an Image Background

The same model that powers background removal works out which pixels are the subject — then, instead of leaving a hole, it puts what you chose behind them. Pick a colour for a clean product shot or a passport-style portrait, or upload a photo to stand in as the new scene. The subject keeps its soft edges, the frame keeps its dimensions, and you choose whether the result comes back as a PNG, a JPG or a WebP.

Also known as: background changer · replace photo background · white background for photos

Files up to 25 MBTypically under a minute

Drop your file hereor choose a file from your deviceJPG, PNG or WebP · up to 25 MB

Encrypted upload · deleted right after conversion

Your files are deleted automatically

Uploads are removed as soon as processing finishes, and converted files are deleted after 1 hour. Read our privacy policy.

How to change an image background

Step 1
1. Add your file
Drag your JPG, PNG or WebP file into the box, or choose it from your device. It can be up to 25 MB.
Step 2
2. Choose your settings
Adjust New background (Solid colour), Background colour (White), Save as (PNG) and Edge (Soft), or keep the starting values in brackets, which suit most files. More are under Advanced options. The preview shows how it will look before you start. If you choose “An image”, also add the background image (JPG, PNG or WebP).
Step 3
3. Press Change background
The work happens on our servers, and you can follow its progress.
Step 4
4. Download your PNG file
Your upload is already deleted, and the result is deleted after one hour.

Worth knowing

This is a model making a judgement, not a measurement. It works best on a photo with one clear subject; busy backgrounds, glass and fine strands of hair are where it struggles, and a poor cut-out is more obvious against a new background than against transparency. Check the result before you use it.

Why change an image background?

Putting every product photo on the same plain white background for a shop listing
Giving a portrait a clean backdrop for a profile or an ID photo
Dropping a person or an object into a different scene for a slide or a poster
Making a set of team headshots taken in different rooms look consistent

What changes

What change an image background changes, and what it leaves alone
Property	Before	After
Background	Whatever was behind the subject	Your colour or image
Subject	Original	Unchanged, edges kept
Dimensions	Original	Unchanged
Format	JPG, PNG or WebP	Whichever you choose

Frequently asked questions

Page updated 3 October 2026

All Image converters

Change an Image Background

How to change an image background

1. Add your file

2. Choose your settings

3. Press Change background

4. Download your PNG file

Why change an image background?

What changes

Frequently asked questions

Remove Background

Watermark Image

Resize Image

Compress Image

Change an Image Background

How to change an image background

1. Add your file

2. Choose your settings

3. Press Change background

4. Download your PNG file

Why change an image background?

What changes

Frequently asked questions

Is my photo sent to an outside service?

What happens if my background image is a different shape?

Can I use a transparent PNG as the background?

Which format should I save as?

How is this different from removing the background?

Why does it take a few seconds when other tools are instant?

Is this converter free?

What happens to my files?

Is there a file size limit?

Do I need to install anything?

Does it work on a phone?

Related conversions

Remove Background

Watermark Image

Resize Image

Compress Image