Make a Background of an Image Transparent on Windows for Free

Often times you’ll have an image, perhaps a logo, that you want to use on a website, and you’ll want that image to have a transparent background.  Here’s how to make an image have a transparent background using a free drawing program called Paint.net (note this solution works on Windows only).

1. Download and Install Paint.net

First, you’ll have to download and install Paint.net if you don’t already have it.  It’s available for free or for $7.99 from the Microsoft Store.

2. Install the Grim Color Reaper Plugin

Next, you’ll need a plug-in curiously named the “Grim Color Reaper” (don’t ask me why it’s called that).  Download it, unzip the file, and copy the .dll file to your desktop for now.

You install this plug-in simply by copying the .dll file into the “effects” directory where Paint.net was installed.  In most computers, that directory is here: C:\Program Files\Paint.NET\Effects.

3. Open the Image

After it’s copied, re-start Paint.net and open the file that you want to make transparent.

4. Apply the Grim Color Reaper

Now, in Paint.net, select Effects -> Color -> Grim Color Reaper.  You’ll see a preview of the image, with the transparent parts with a grey checkerboard pattern.  In this case, the default settings are wrong; the image is transparent and the background is opaque (that might be okay with your image though).  If it is not correct, select “Secondary Color” in the “What Color?” pulldown.  You might also need to play around with the “Color tolerance” and “Consider transparent..” sliders to get the desired results with your particular image or logo.

5. Save

When you get the opaque areas that you want, save the file as a .png.

This is really useful for logos and such.  Let me know about your experiences or comments!

– Brian

Brian Shim

I am a freelance web developer and consultant based in Santa Monica, CA who uses WordPress, PHP, and JavaScript to create websites and web applications for businesses, nonprofits, and organizations.

brianshim.com