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How to make an image background transparent in Photoshop

Photoshop CC logo on a screen

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Sharaf Maksumov)

When putting together graphic designs or editing photos, opaque backgrounds on images can be a hindrance - so knowing how to make the background transparent in Photoshop is a useful trick. Whether it's a plain white background, or you’ve been caught out with some fake grey and white squares, we’ll be covering all bases in this step-by-step guide.

Sometimes Adobe Photoshop can be a finicky software to get the hang of, so we’ve been sure to boil this down to basics so even those who are just starting out with the software can learn how to make an image background transparent in Photoshop.

Tools and requirements

PC or Laptop

Adobe Photoshop

Steps for how to make the background transparent in Photoshop

Upload your image into Photoshop and then click Window and then check Layers if it doesn’t already have a tick next to it

Rasterize the layer if required

Open the properties panel, select Quick Actions, and then hit Remove Background

Hide the background layer

Save the image as a PNG to retain the transparency

Step by step guide on how to make the background transparent in Photoshop

1. Create a new file

The Adobe Photoshop UI.

(Image: © Adobe)

To begin with start with a brand new file in Photoshop, you can do this by selecting File and then New.

2. Open your chosen image

The Adobe Photoshop UI.

(Image: © Adobe)

Upload the image you want to remove the background from to Photoshop. You can do this by dragging and dropping it from your File Explorer into Photoshop.

3. Rasterize the layer (optional)

The Adobe Photoshop UI.

(Image: © Adobe)

You may be required to Rasterize the layer based on what image type you have uploaded. Right-click on the layer in the layers window and then hit Rasterize Layer

4. Remove the background

The Adobe Photoshop UI.

(Image: © Adobe)

In the properties tab, scroll down to the quick actions section and then hit Remove Background. You might have to confirm your action if you have something else selected. You can then hide the background layer if you need to. You can do this by pressing the Eye icon by the Background in the layers tab.

5. Export the image as a transparent PNG

The Adobe Photoshop UI.

(Image: © Adobe)

Once done, export the image as a PNG to retain the background transparency. You can now place the image on top of other images without a background or use it for any other purpose.

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And there you have it! These steps should work no matter what is going on in the background of your image, simple or complicated. Knowing how to make the background transparent in Photoshop is a handy trick for those who are editing photos, creating custom images, or even just putting together a meme for the work chat (we've all been there).

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Contributor

Jasmine is a gaming hardware and tech journalist with an appreciation for all things others dare to call boring or complicated.

Previously of GamesRadar and The Mirror, Jasmine has reviewed and covered hundreds of devices from laptops to sound bars, monitors to cameras and almost everything in-between.

In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys playing games that make her rage and building PCs, which also makes her rage – as well as spending time with her three cats. Crazy cat lady in the making!

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