The short answer
Why use Zoom Blur?
The real effect needs a zoom lens, a tripod, and a slow shutter. Here you tap the point the streaks fly away from and set how far they reach.
Focus X and Focus Y set the point the streaks come from, and a tap on the preview moves it. Amount, 0 to 100, sets both the length and the strength of the streaks; each copy is faint, so they read as motion rather than ghost images. Sharp radius keeps 5% to 90% of the shorter side clear around the point.
The effect is made of layered copies, so fine detail such as text or thin branches can look doubled at high Amount. Values between 40 and 70 usually look like motion; 100 is strong. The sharp circle fades in smoothly, but a subject that is not round may need a larger radius.
Lens Blur uses the same sharp circle with a soft, even blur and no direction. Swirl, in the Transform tools, twists the area around a point instead of pulling it outward. For a sports or car shot, put the focus on the subject and keep Sharp radius just large enough to cover it.
Where Zoom Blur fits
Sports photos
Make a runner or cyclist look like they are bursting toward the camera.
Car shots
Add speed streaks around a parked car for a poster.
YouTube thumbnails
Pull attention to a face with streaks rushing out from it.
Start to finish
How to use Zoom Blur
- 01Tap Choose image and pick an action shot, or paste one from the clipboard.
- 02Tap the subject so the streaks fly out from it, then set Amount and Sharp radius.
- 03Tap Apply changes, check thin details for doubling, then tap Download result.
What to expect from Zoom Blur
| Check | What it means here |
|---|---|
| Supported input | JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, SVG and browser-supported AVIF images |
| Main controls | Blur amount, focus point, and sharp-area size |
| Output | A PNG image with the blur applied |
| Working limit | 50 MB and 50 megapixels per image |
Zoom Blur tips
- Amount between 40 and 70 reads as motion; 100 is very strong.
- The largest copy is about 15% bigger at 50 and 31% at 100.
- Keep Sharp radius just big enough to cover the subject.
- Lowering Sharp radius to 5% gives the most streak across the frame.
Zoom Blur FAQ
Something missing? Ask us.
How far do the streaks reach?
Can I make the whole picture streak, with no sharp spot?
Does Zoom Blur upload my file?
Is Zoom Blur free to use?
Why did Zoom Blur fail or look wrong?
Related tools
More in Blur & Focus.