Guide
How to blur part of a screenshot
To blur part of a screenshot, open it in an editor with a redaction tool, select the area you want to hide, and choose blur, pixelate, or black out. BaseShot (free for Windows and Mac) does this right after you capture, before you copy or share the image.
With BaseShot
- Take a screenshot with BaseShot. It opens in the editor.
- Choose the Redact tool in the toolbar, or press D.
- Pick a style: Blur (secure), Blur (smooth), Pixelate, or Black Out.
- Drag over each area you want to hide.
- Copy the screenshot or save it as a PNG.
Which style should you use?
- Black Out completely covers the area. Use it for passwords, keys, and account numbers.
- Blur (secure) hides text so it cannot be read, while keeping the screenshot easy to look at.
- Pixelate gives the familiar mosaic look and also hides text well.
- Blur (smooth) looks softest. Use it to tone down busy backgrounds, not for sensitive information.
Without an extra app
- On Windows, the Snipping Tool lets you draw over areas with the pen. Recent versions can also hide email addresses and phone numbers with text actions.
- On Mac, Preview and Markup do not have a blur tool, but you can cover areas with a filled shape.
Drawing over text by hand is easy to get wrong. Check the result before you share it.