Canva Remove Background from Image - The Complete Beginner's Guide

Canva removes the background from an image with simple clicks to achieve clean visuals. But for a more advanced and effortless option, CapCut delivers superior background removal and editing tools without a steep learning curve.

canva remove background from image
CapCut
CapCut
Sep 9, 2025
9 min(s)

Background erasing helps you to make your subject shine, eradicate distractions, and streamline your visuals. Using Canva to remove background from an image can be a challenge when you are a beginner in the field of designing, but it is important to master it. This guide will show you how to use Canva to edit images in a clean and professional way. Besides, you will find out how CapCut is a better, free, and has good auto and custom background removal features. CapCut lets you make high-quality, well-polished pictures with no learning curve.

Table of content
  1. Why is mastering background removal important
  2. Desktop solution to remove background from an image in Canva
  3. Mobile solution to remove background from an image in Canva
  4. CapCut: The best free alternative to remove image background
  5. What can we use an image background for
  6. Best practices for cleaner background removal
  7. Conclusion
  8. FAQs

Why is mastering background removal important

  • Make the subject stand out: When you remove the background, you highlight the main element, and you give your audience the opportunity to concentrate without distraction.
  • Get rid of distractions: The background should not have unnecessary items or clutter, as it may make your design less professional. Removal of these elements makes it appear cleaner and polished.
  • Keep the design simple: A simple or clear background minimizes visual noise. You allow your audience to conceptualize your message in a fast and easy manner.
  • Re-contextualize the image: After removing the background, you may place your subject in a new context, which will be more appropriate to your project. This is what makes it flexible enough to make unique visuals to suit your needs.
  • Make it appealing: Cleaner pictures are more professional and unforgettable. You enhance the general beauty, so your designs are conspicuous on any medium.
  • Make narratives stronger: By taking out any unnecessary details, nothing in your picture will conflict with or disorient the story you wish to convey. You are able to follow the visual narrative with accuracy and precision.

Desktop solution to remove background from an image in Canva

    STEP 1
  1. Open Canva and upload an image

Go to the Canva website, click "Create a Design", then select a preset image size or set a custom one as per your needs. Next, upload the picture from your computer to start editing. If you don't have an image, select one from the "Elements" tab.

Open Canva and upload an image
    STEP 2
  1. Remove the background

On the project page, select the image and then click "Edit" from the taskbar. Choose "BG Remover" from the side menu. This will automatically remove the background from your image.

Remove the image background
    STEP 3
  1. Download the edited image

Once satisfied with your design, click "Download" in the upper-right corner. Choose the image format and then check the "Transparent background" option, then click "Download" once more to save the image to your local device or share it later.

Download the edited image

Mobile solution to remove background from an image in Canva

    STEP 1
  1. Add your image

Tap the plus icon and upload a photo from the "Elements" or "Uploads" tab.

    STEP 2
  1. Remove the background

Select the photo, tap "Effects," then choose "BG Remover." Use the brush tools if needed to erase or restore areas.

    STEP 3
  1. Adjust and export

Crop, resize, and position your edited image to complete your design. Once satisfied with your design, click on the "Download" icon to save the image in the desired format and quality on your local device.

Remove background from an image in Canva on Mobile

Although Canva has a background remover, this feature is only present in the Pro version, which is not accessible to all users. CapCut is a free and powerful alternative with auto and custom background removal. Let's dive in to uncover facts!

CapCut: The best free alternative to remove image background

CapCut is the most suitable alternative to eliminate image and video backgrounds fast and easily. CapCut allows you to remove backgrounds automatically with auto removal or manually with custom removal. Edges can also be refined using strokes, glow, and feather effects to give professional results. You can edit both images and videos on the platform. Get CapCut free today and begin upgrading your content by removing backgrounds in the highest quality with just a few clicks.

Key features

  • Auto background remover: You can easily remove the background of any picture with just one click. This feature will save you time and provide clean results even when it comes to complex subjects.
  • Custom background remover: You can also remove unwanted areas manually in case you need accuracy. You can decide which of the parts remain or disappear, to assist you in polishing edges and details.
  • Custom edge editing: You can edit edges using tools such as strokes, feathers, and glow. This can give you smooth, natural transitions between your subject and the new background.
  • Diverse visual elements: There are lots of visual elements, such as effects, filters, and more, to polish the background-removed image in CapCut.
  • High resolution export: You can export images in high resolution after editing. This allows you to print them, make a presentation, or even do an online project without quality being compromised.

How to remove backgrounds from pictures using auto removal

    STEP 1
  1. Launch CapCut and access the image editor

First, you need to launch CapCut and then select "Image editing" from the left vertical menu. Then click on "New image" to enter the main editing workspace where you can start working on your visuals.

Launch CapCut and access the image editor
    STEP 2
  1. Upload and remove background

Then, click the "Upload" tab from the left vertical menu bar. Now, upload the image from your local device, Dropbox, or cloud. After uploading, click the image and add it on to the canvas.

Upload your image

Select the image, then click "Remove background" from the right vertical menu. CapCut will remove the image background automatically. You can also use "Customize" to refine the result.

Remove the image background
    STEP 3
  1. Export the image

When your logo looks right, click on the "Download all" tab present in the top right corner and then select download. You can also export your image by using "Copy as PNG" to your device for later use.

Export the transparent background image

What can we use an image background for

  • Social media posts: You should be able to make your posts more interesting by adding attractive backgrounds. A blank or decorative background makes your primary content stand out and gives you the opportunity to grab attention in a brief period of time.
  • Marketing materials: You can use a customized background to support your message when developing flyers, posters, or banners. To make your materials more memorable, you may use colors, textures, or images that are consistent with your brand identity. CapCut allows you to upload your own background.
  • Product photography: Products may be placed on neutral or creative backgrounds to make them attractive. Professional experience eliminates distraction and directs the eyes of your viewer to your product, increasing the likelihood of sales.
  • Presentation and infographics: You can have a low image background to present slides in an attractive way without obscuring the information. Effective backgrounds allow your audience to consume material without overwhelming them.
  • Website design: It is possible to include backgrounds to parts of your website to improve user experience. Background images will help to make your site look professional and polished, and direct the focus of the visitors to the most important elements.
  • Creative projects: You have the opportunity to play with image backgrounds in collages, digital artwork, or personalized invitations. The appropriate background gives depth, context, and mood to your project and enables you to tell a more convincing story through the image.

Best practices for cleaner background removal

  • Choose high-res photos: The first step is to select high-res photos. Images of high quality provide Canva or CapCut with more details to play with, and the edges are sharper, and rough cutouts are fewer. Background removal usually leaves low-resolution images jagged or blurred.
  • Have a good contrast: Make sure that your subject has good contrast with the background. This separation allows background removers like CapCut to recognize the subject properly and save you time on manual changes. Images that have colors that are similar to the background should also be avoided because they may mislead the tool.
  • Avoid background noise: You should also not have excessive background noise. It is more difficult when the remover uses busy patterns, crowded surroundings, or too many shadows to isolate your subject. Less complicated backgrounds result in purer output.
  • Personalized edges: Sharpen edges with CapCut's Restore/Erase brush. Watch details such as hair, shadows, or semi-transparent details. This will enable you to fine-tune your image without leaving undesirable fragments behind.
  • Edit with other editing features: Use other editing features in CapCut, such as Blur, brighten, or darken, to mix up your object in a different pattern. With these practices, you will be able to produce polished and professional visuals at all times.

Conclusion

To excel in removing the background from an image using Canva, you need to have the skill to produce a perfect, distortion-free image that makes your subject shine. You now know how to do it step-by-step on desktop and mobile, and some more advanced editing tricks to sharpen up your images. Canva Pro is restricted, whereas CapCut is a free, feature-packed option with automatic and manual background removal, edge edits, and high-quality exports. Use CapCut today to extract the backgrounds with ease and take your designs to the next level with zero learning curve.

FAQs

    1
  1. How long does it take to remove a background in Canva?

Canva removes a background based on the size of your image and the performance of your computer. Simple pictures take a few seconds, whereas large, complicated pictures take longer. You also need to have a reliable internet connection as Canva is a web-based application. In the event that you find the process slow, you may use CapCut, which offers quick, free background removal to images and videos without much waiting time.

    2
  1. What to do if the background remover gives rough edges in Canva?

The rough edges normally appear when there is a mixing of the subject and the background. You can perform manual edge refinement in Canva with the Erase or Restore brush. However, it requires a Pro plan. If you want to correct small details after removing backgrounds for free. CapCut is a better choice.

    3
  1. Why is Canva's background remover slow on my computer?

Canva may slow down due to large files, multiple tabs, or insufficient RAM. Heavy browser activity can also affect performance. For faster results, you can switch to CapCut, which runs smoothly on both desktop and mobile, handling complex images without delays.

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