Select the Background Eraser tool in the toolbar.
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Change pixels to transparent with the Background Eraser tool
Last updated on
Oct 28, 2025
Learn how to erase background pixels using the Background Eraser tool with brush and sampling options in Adobe Photoshop.
Select the Brush Preset picker in the options bar and adjust the Size, Hardness, Spacing, Angle, and Roundness in the panel that appears.
Tip
If using a pressure-sensitive tablet, set the Size or Tolerance to Pen Pressure for better stroke control.
In the Options bar, select one of the following:
- Continuous – Samples color continuously as you drag.
- Once – Erases only areas containing the color you first select.
- Background Swatch – Erases areas containing the current background color.
Set Limits:
- Discontiguous – Erases sampled color wherever it appears under the brush.
- Contiguous – Erases adjacent pixels of the sampled color.
- Find Edges – Preserves sharper edges while erasing nearby sampled color.
Set Tolerance by entering a value or dragging the slider to adjust how much color variation will be erased.
Select Protect Foreground Color to avoid erasing areas that match the current foreground color.
Move the brush across the area you want to erase. The tool samples the center of the brush and erases matching pixels while preserving foreground edges.
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