ClearCut API

Remove image and video backgrounds

Upload an image or video and get a clean, transparent cutout in seconds — perfect for product photos, portraits, thumbnails, and marketing creatives.

Upload an image to remove the background

or drop a file here · JPG, PNG, WebP · videos need an account

Free to try in your browser — previews aren't stored. No credit card required.

Easy to integrate

A simple HTTP interface with sensible defaults. Send an image, get a clean cutout — with options for size, format, background color, crop, shadow, and more.

  • Direct upload, URL, or base64 input
  • JSON, binary, or hosted-URL responses
  • Output up to 50 megapixels
curl -X POST "https://api.clearcutapi.com/api/v1/removebg" \
  -H "X-API-Key: clearcut_live_YOUR_KEY" \
  -F "image_file=@/path/to/image.jpg" \
  -F "format=png" \
  -F "size=auto"
Every plan

Image background removal

Product photos, portraits, and graphics come back as clean cutouts in seconds.

  • Upload, URL, or base64 input
  • Transparent, color, or image backgrounds
  • Auto-crop, margin, and soft shadow
  • Up to 50 megapixels
Pro and above

Video background removal

Turn short clips and reels into transparent video for overlays and edits.

  • Async jobs with progress and webhooks
  • Alpha WebM, ProRes MOV, MP4, GIF, or frame ZIP
  • Audio preserved
  • Clips up to 60 seconds at 1080p

A polished visual engine for every app

Connect one key, and every app you build gains a clean background-removal pipeline.

Developer-first API

One endpoint, sensible defaults, consistent errors, and OpenAPI docs.

Async video jobs

Progress tracking, cancellation, and refunds when something fails.

Output formats

PNG, JPG, WebP, and ZIP (color + alpha) for advanced compositing.

Webhooks

Get notified the moment a job completes or fails.

Rate limits & usage

Per-key limits and monthly caps, usage analytics, and credit tracking.

Secure by design

Hashed keys with IP and domain allow-lists, SSRF-guarded URL fetching.

Output formats

Choose the right format for web, ecommerce, or compositing.

PNG

Transparent · up to 10MP

JPG

Solid background · up to 50MP

WebP

Transparent · up to 50MP

ZIP

color.jpg + alpha.png

Built for every visual workflow

From one-off edits to millions of catalog images.

Ecommerce

Consistent white or branded backgrounds across a whole product catalog.

Portraits & avatars

Clean profile photos and team headshots without a studio.

Marketing creatives

Drop subjects onto campaign backgrounds in your design tools.

Social reels

Transparent video cutouts for overlays, stories, and short-form edits.

Thumbnails

Punchy YouTube and course thumbnails with cut-out presenters.

SaaS features

Ship background removal inside your own product with one API key.

Frequently asked questions

How do I authenticate?

Send your API key in the X-API-Key header. Keys are created in your dashboard and shown only once.

What image formats are supported?

JPG, PNG, and WebP up to 22 MB and 50 megapixels. Output can be PNG, JPG, WebP, or a ZIP with separate color and alpha layers.

How are credits charged?

Preview images cost 0.25 credits, full images 1 credit, and 50MP images 2 credits. Custom backgrounds add 0.5 credits. You only pay on success.

Is there a free plan?

Yes — every account starts with 50 free credits on the Free plan, no card required.

Clean input. Clear subject. Beautiful output.

Connect one key and give every app a polished visual engine.