Transparency means there are no visible background pixels in that part of the image. The checkerboard in the editor is a viewing aid; it is not meant to become part of the exported picture. A transparent cutout is useful when the destination has its own background.
Before you start
Start with a photo you can legally use and keep an original copy. PNG supports transparency without losing edge detail to JPEG compression. WebP also supports transparency and often makes a smaller file, but check whether your destination accepts it.
Step by step
- Upload the image and wait for background removal to finish.
- In Background → Color, choose the transparent option instead of a solid color.
- Refine the cutout with Cutout → Erase or Restore. Switch Smart brush off if you want to paint only the area under the cursor.
- Open Download and select PNG · transparent. Keep Full resolution for an image you plan to reuse.
- Place the downloaded file on a colored slide or canvas to confirm that the background is transparent.
Check the result
A white preview in another app does not necessarily mean the file has a white background. Some viewers display transparency on white. Test it over a contrasting color. If a checkerboard is visible inside the image itself, it may have been baked into the original screenshot.
Keep in mind
JPG cannot retain transparency. Choosing JPG in Clearcut fills transparent areas with white. Changing the filename from .jpg to .png does not convert the file or remove its background.
Next: continue with the related guide.
Ready to try it? Open the Clearcut editor.
Start with your next image.
Create an account and verify your email to get 30 free credits every month: enough for 30 Fast images or 15 Fine images. Use them on the website or through the API.