# Source: https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/features-and-tools/replace-or-remove-background.md

# Replace or Remove Background

The Replace Background or Remove Background features let you isolate the main subject of an image by either removing the existing background or replacing it with a new one.

This feature is available to all paid plans:

* **Remove Background** makes the background transparent, leaving only the main subject. This is free (no credits used).
* **Replace Background** generates a new background based on your prompt. This uses credits, depending on:
  * The **Model** you selected.
  * The **Number of images** generated.
  * The **Render Speed.**

## How to Access the Feature

You can access Replace or Remove Background in several ways:

1. **From image details** –\
   When viewing an image in the [Details panel](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/details-panel), select the **Remove BG** button or the dropdown arrow to access **Replace BG**.\
   Alternatively, select the **More** icon <picture><source srcset="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FPYS9T78uhmDmuEqNWvcb%2FMore%20-%20White%2020px.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=cba9b268-f5f2-4895-bef0-fa43e5ae3724" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FqhNBoUUnrp0grTzHJonA%2FMore%20-%20Black%2020px.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=dee426ba-09fe-4735-bdd3-81c5ecb71035" alt=""></picture> in the upper-right corner and choose **Remove Background** or **Replace Background** from the [More menu](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/more-menu-...).
2. **When importing or pasting an image** –\
   In the popup window, select **Replace BG** or use the dropdown arrow to access **Remove BG**.

## Remove Background

You can remove the background of an image either directly from the Details panel while viewing a single image or while working in the Canvas. Each method behaves slightly differently.

### When Viewing an Image

* In the [Details panel](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/details-panel), select the **Remove BG** button.
* The image updates automatically with a transparent background and is saved to your Creations.&#x20;
* You can preview the before-and-after comparison by selecting the **Split View** button at the top right.

<div><figure><picture><source srcset="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FkoHyFcAnlBPCfKeVLgcU%2FBackground%20removed%20-%20Dark.webp?alt=media&#x26;token=9a98e593-67d1-4556-bfcf-2634cc34a1ec" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FThlpkeF6xfskspvpfPXT%2FBackground%20removed%20-%20Light.webp?alt=media&#x26;token=59772058-f421-43c9-8c53-d734a4db3c5c" alt="Resulting image with transparent background after using Remove Background." width="375"></picture><figcaption><p>Resulting image with transparent background after using Remove Background.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FTJV4yddkJzUPV9ux07jY%2FIdeogram%20%E2%80%93%20philozoff%20-%20Light%20Dark.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=03521f22-394c-411f-959a-2b90702ad641" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>Split View when clicking the button at top-right of the image.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

The Details panel updates to show new options. To refine the result, select **Edit Background** to open the image in [Edit Background mode](#edit-background-mode) within the Canvas.

### When in Canvas

If you opened the image in Canvas or were already editing there:

* Select the image for which you want the background to be removed.
* Click on **Remove BG** on the right-side panel.
* You will enter [Edit Background mode](#edit-background-mode).&#x20;

### Edit Background Mode

In Edit Background mode, you can refine the transparent or masked areas of your image using several tools:

<figure><picture><source srcset="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2F4IumTg2N87sASDHw53Uu%2FUntitled%20Apr%2014%20951%20AM%20%E2%80%93%20Ideogram%20-%20Light%20Dark%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f18fc58e-7ea2-4ba2-b6ae-24f5f4db64bb" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FIxfq7kj5qATaDtZt682u%2FUntitled%20Apr%2014%20952%20AM%20%E2%80%93%20Ideogram%20-%20Light%20Dark%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cac837db-f7c5-4e36-b820-94586938c00f" alt="Toolbar in Edit Background mode showing masking tools and icons." width="353"></picture><figcaption><p>Toolbar in Edit Background mode showing masking tools and icons.</p></figcaption></figure>

1. **Rectangle Mask** – Create a rectangular mask.
2. **Lasso Mask** – Draw a freeform mask shape.
3. **Brush Mask** – Paint a mask using a round brush. Adjust size with the bracket keys <kbd>\[</kbd>  <kbd>]</kbd> or the size slider accessible from the dropdown arrow.
4. **Erase** – Toggle erase mode to restore areas of the background using mask tools.
5. **Invert** – Invert the selection to swap visible and hidden areas.

When done editing the background, you can:

1. **Cancel** – Revert all background edits and restore the previous image.
2. **Save** – Save the current image with the background removed.\
   Alternatively, clic or tap the dropdown arrow next to **Save** and select **Save Copy** to keep both the original and the edited version in the current Canvas.

<figure><picture><source srcset="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FBlCIAGRlTDDV4VBelbBm%2FUntitled%20Apr%2014%20951%20AM%20%E2%80%93%20Ideogram%20-%20Light%20Dark%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3c15f57c-9b1f-4682-bdd1-f109a948e884" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2Frc3AeD9hQpZHcdVql7JY%2FUntitled%20Apr%2014%20949%20AM%20%E2%80%93%20Ideogram%20-%20Light%20Dark%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=38a5f1a8-9cf4-4fad-8249-81cb882c4810" alt="Save and Cancel options available in Edit Background mode." width="563"></picture><figcaption><p>Save and Cancel options available in Edit Background mode.</p></figcaption></figure>

After removing the background, you can download the image using the **Download** option in the left panel or continue editing it in the Canvas. In both cases, the image is also saved in your Creations.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip**: For sharper and more precise results, use *Upscale* before removing the background. Higher-resolution images produce cleaner edges and better transparency.
{% endhint %}

***

## Replace Background

The Replace Background feature lets you replace the background behind the main subject with a new one generated from your text prompt.

For example, you can replace the background of a studio photo featuring a perfume bottle with a more dynamic scene, such as cascading water.

<figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2Fn2Td1GACxg5dYM897wah%2FR-BG%20Original%20image.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9a917dd9-a243-4780-9d7f-37ca5343320d" alt="Original studio image before background replacement." width="375"><figcaption><p>Original studio image before background replacement.</p></figcaption></figure>

1. After selecting **Replace BG**, describe the new background you want to generate in the [Prompt Box](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/prompt-box).
2. Select **Replace** to generate the new images. Results appear in your Creations or directly in the Canvas, depending on where the action was performed.

<figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FLx5Dn46eJbPa1d1oU2Ww%2FR-BG%20Final%20image.png?alt=media&#x26;token=065c89e9-4c37-4743-90b4-e5964c9f4243" alt="Final image after Replace Background applied." width="375"><figcaption><p>Final image after Replace Background applied.</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** When integrating the subject into the new background, the AI may slightly adjust the image’s edges for a smoother blend.
{% endhint %}