How to turn a photo into a silhouette online

SilMaker converts the main subject of a JPG, PNG, or WebP image into a filled silhouette or outline inside your browser. Choose the original scene, transparency, or a custom color. Hollow outlines keep the scene around the subject while leaving its interior open.

Open the free converter

Convert your photo in four steps

  1. Choose a JPG, PNG, or WebP photo up to 15MB.
  2. Wait for SilMaker to find the subject and create the silhouette.
  3. Use Smart Brush if a thin part is missing or a piece of background was included.
  4. Choose Filled or Outline, set the background, and save the PNG.
Woman in a sun hat sitting above the sea before and after SilMaker — BeforeBefore
Woman in a sun hat sitting above the sea before and after SilMaker — AfterAfter
The hat brim and seated pose stay recognizable in the solid silhouette, with the sunset sea kept behind it.

Choose a photo with one clearly defined subject

A person, pet, product, vehicle, or character is easier to isolate when its outer shape is visible and different from the background. Strong contrast helps the subject detector find the boundary.

Avoid crowded groups, heavy motion blur, and source photos that crop off important parts. A converter cannot recreate an ear, foot, tail, or wheel that is outside the original frame.

Hiker with a backpack beside a glacier lake before and after SilMaker — BeforeBefore
Hiker with a backpack beside a glacier lake before and after SilMaker — AfterAfter
This example keeps the hiker, backpack, and trekking poles against the original mountain scene. Include the full pose in your source photo.

Pick the silhouette result that fits your project

The Filled option turns the detected subject into a solid shape. Use Original to keep the source scene, Transparent for a reusable cutout, or Custom for a solid background you choose.

The Outline option follows the subject boundary. Original keeps the full source image under the line, Transparent or Custom changes the background, and Hollow keeps the surrounding scene while leaving the subject area open for coloring. Every download is a raster PNG file.

Ballet dancer posing in a tutu before and after SilMaker — BeforeBefore
Ballet dancer posing in a tutu before and after SilMaker — AfterAfter
Filled with Original background keeps the studio while turning the dancer into a solid shape.

Correct difficult edges with Smart Brush

Thin hair, ears, spokes, glass, reflections, and low-contrast edges can confuse automatic selection. Use Add on a missing area or Remove on unwanted background, then let Smart Brush inspect that local region again.

Start with a small Brush size for fine details. Increase it for larger areas, and undo the stroke if it changes too much.

Woman with a red umbrella on a wet street at night before and after SilMaker — BeforeBefore
Woman with a red umbrella on a wet street at night before and after SilMaker — AfterAfter
This one came straight out of the automatic step. Before touching anything, look at the umbrella edge, the coat hem, and the reflection on the wet road.
Woman holding a red umbrella in the rain, before and after a Smart Brush correction that restored her hand and the umbrella handle
Before and after a Smart Brush fix made with the current SilMaker. One Add stroke restored the hand and umbrella handle the automatic step missed. Download this example PNG

Know when you need a vector editor

SilMaker saves a PNG at the size it processed. It doesn't trace SVG paths. For a logo, a large print, or a file for a vinyl cutter, use the PNG as a reference and draw the final path in vector software.

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