Hide names, email addresses, account numbers, faces or anything else private before you share a screenshot. Drag boxes over the sensitive parts, choose a solid black box or pixelation, and download a flattened image in which the redactions are permanent and no hidden metadata is left.
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Drag over anything private to cover it. Click a box to select it, then move, resize or restyle it.
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How to use the Redact Image
Add your screenshot: press Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on Mac) after taking it, drop the file on the box or click Choose image.
Pick a style: Black box for text and numbers (recommended), or Pixelate for a softer look on photos.
Drag over each private area. Click a box to select it, then move it, resize it with the corner handles, change its style or delete it.
Check the result: zoom in and make sure every name, address, number and face is fully covered, including reflections and small print.
Download the redacted image as PNG (sharpest) or JPG, or copy it to paste into a chat or ticket.
Black box or pixelate?
Style
How it works
Security
Best for
Black (or white) box
Every pixel in the area is replaced with one solid color
Strongest: no trace of the original remains
Passwords, account and card numbers, addresses, emails, IDs
Pixelate + noise
The area is split into square blocks; each block becomes the average color of its pixels, then slightly randomized
Good with large blocks; small blocks over short text can sometimes be guessed
Faces, backgrounds, photos where a black box would look harsh
Pixelation works by averaging: for each block of B × B pixels the new color is (sum of the pixel values) ÷ (number of pixels) for red, green and blue separately. Because that average still depends on the original pixels, the block size should be at least as large as the letters you are hiding; random noise added to each block removes the exact averages an attacker would need.
Redaction checklist for screenshots
Cover the entire field, with a little margin, so the length of a name or number isn't revealed.
Check browser tabs, the address bar, notification banners, profile pictures and the clock area.
Hide QR codes and barcodes completely: a partly visible code may still scan.
Remember related clues: an order number, tracking ID or the last four card digits can be enough to identify someone.
Download as PNG, open the downloaded file and look at it once more at 100% zoom before sharing.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone remove the black boxes later?
No. When you download, the screenshot and every box are flattened into one new bitmap, so the covered pixels are replaced, not hidden under a layer. There is nothing underneath to recover. This is different from drawing a shape in some editors or PDF tools, where the original content can remain in the file.
Is pixelation safe for hiding text?
Less safe than a solid box. Pixelated text with small blocks can sometimes be guessed by reconstructing what text would produce the same blocks, especially for short numbers. Use a black box for passwords, account numbers and anything critical. If you pixelate, use large blocks (bigger than the letter height) and keep Add noise switched on.
What metadata is removed?
Everything. The download is encoded from scratch from the visible pixels, so EXIF data (camera model, date taken, GPS location, software), XMP, IPTC, PNG text chunks and comments from the original are never copied. When you open a file the tool lists the metadata it found so you know what was removed.
Why is the downloaded file bigger or smaller than the original?
The image is re-encoded. A PNG keeps every pixel exactly and is usually larger than a JPG photo; a JPG download is smaller but slightly soft. Screenshots with text look best as PNG.
Does it reduce the image quality?
No. The image keeps its original resolution (very large images above 40 megapixels are scaled down to keep the browser responsive, and the tool tells you when that happens). Only the redacted areas change.
What should I check before sharing?
Look for details that are easy to miss: names in browser tabs, email addresses in headers, profile pictures, QR codes and barcodes, order or tracking numbers, the last digits of cards, URLs with tokens, and reflections in photos. Cover the whole field, not just part of it, so the length of a name or number is not revealed.
Is my screenshot uploaded?
No. The image is read, redacted and saved entirely inside your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, which is the point of a redaction tool.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.