The short answer
Why use Add Noise?
Smooth gradients often show visible banding, and very clean renders can look fake. A little noise breaks up both, and it is quicker than finding a noise filter in a desktop editor.
Amount runs from 0 to 100% and starts at 50. Each color channel of every pixel is shifted by its own random value, which gives colored specks. At 50 the largest shift is about 45 levels out of 255, and at 100 about 90. To hide banding in a sky or a gradient, 10 to 20 is usually enough. Above 60 the noise starts to dominate the photo.
The preview is drawn on a smaller copy of your photo, so the specks look coarser there than in the final file. In the full-size download each speck is one pixel, which is much finer. Check the result at 100% zoom before deciding it is too weak. Transparent areas stay transparent.
Film Grain gives each pixel a single gray shift that is strongest in the midtones, which looks more like film than a digital sensor. For a retro pattern of dots that reduces the number of colors, Dithering is the tool. To hide a face or a number plate, noise is not enough; use Blur Face or Pixelate.
Where Add Noise fits
Banded gradients
Break up the visible steps in a smooth sky or a gradient wallpaper.
Clean renders
Add slight grain to a 3D render so it looks less computer-made.
Texture backgrounds
Turn a flat color block into a subtle grainy background.
Start to finish
How to use Add Noise
- 01Tap Choose image or Paste from clipboard to open the gradient, render, or photo.
- 02Set Amount, which starts at 50; for hiding banding, try 10 to 20 first.
- 03Tap Apply changes, zoom to 100% to judge the fine grain, then Download result.
What to expect from Add Noise
| Check | What it means here |
|---|---|
| Supported input | JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, SVG and browser-supported AVIF images |
| Main controls | Text, color, size, opacity, or layout, depending on the tool |
| Output | A PNG image, or a ZIP when the tool makes several files |
| Working limit | 50 MB and 50 megapixels per image; jobs with several images also depend on memory |
Add Noise tips
- Each run draws a fresh random pattern, so two exports differ slightly.
- Amount 100 shifts each channel by up to about 90 of 255 levels.
- Expect a much larger PNG, since random noise compresses poorly.
- Noise does not hide faces or plates; use Pixelate for that.
Add Noise FAQ
Something missing? Ask us.
Is the noise colored or gray?
Why does the noise look different each time?
Why is the downloaded file so large?
Does Add Noise upload my file?
Is Add Noise free to use?
Why did Add Noise fail or look wrong?
Related tools
More in Add Elements.