How it works

The tool creates a “preview” version of your image that’s intentionally small and softly blurred. In practice, this means the browser can display a visually pleasing placeholder almost instantly while the full-resolution image loads. For Next.js, that placeholder is typically passed as blurDataURL alongside placeholder="blur".

Behind the scenes, the generator decodes your source image (from a Data URI or a remote HTTP/HTTPS URL), reads its dimensions, then resizes it down to a tiny bitmap (for example 16–64 pixels on the longer edge). After that, a lightweight blur is applied and the result is encoded back to a PNG or JPEG and returned as a Data URI string.

Step-by-step

• 1) Input — Provide an image URL or Data URI (base64-encoded image).
• 2) Resize — Pick a small placeholder size to keep the Data URI short and fast.
• 3) Blur — Apply a few blur passes to soften sharp edges and hide compression artifacts.
• 4) Encode — Export as PNG (best for UI/gradients) or JPEG (often smaller for photos).
• 5) Use — Copy the Data URI or generate a Next.js snippet with blurDataURL.

Key features

Next.js-friendly output

Get a Data URI you can paste directly into blurDataURL, or enable the optional output mode that produces a small JSON-like snippet including placeholder, width, and height. This makes it easy to wire up <Image /> with consistent dimensions and avoid layout shifts.

Adjustable placeholder size and blur strength

Different images need different placeholder settings. A tiny 8–16px output is extremely small and fast, while 32–64px provides a smoother, more recognizable preview. Blur passes let you control the softness so the placeholder looks intentional rather than pixelated.

PNG or JPEG export

PNG placeholders preserve crisp gradients, UI mockups, and illustrations. JPEG placeholders can be smaller for photographs, especially when you set a moderate quality level. The generator keeps outputs compact by focusing on small dimensions first.

Safe, practical remote fetching

If you enable remote fetching, the tool downloads images only over HTTP/HTTPS, follows a limited number of redirects, and applies strict size limits to prevent overly large downloads. It also rejects private or local network destinations to reduce SSRF risk in shared environments.

Preview and copy workflow

The result panel can show a live preview of the blurred placeholder. One-click copy and download buttons make it quick to move from “generate” to “ship” without extra formatting steps.

Use cases

• Next.js Image placeholders — Add placeholder="blur" and a compact blurDataURL to improve perceived performance.
• Blurred hero backgrounds — Use the Data URI as a temporary background while the full image loads.
• Progressive image loading — Show a low-res preview for galleries, product photos, and marketing pages.
• Static site placeholders — Inline a tiny blurred image so even first paint has context and color.
• Design systems — Generate consistent, brand-friendly placeholders for components and documentation sites.

In all of these scenarios, the goal is the same: display a lightweight, visually pleasing placeholder quickly, then seamlessly swap to the final image when it arrives. The Data URI approach is especially convenient because it’s self-contained—no extra files required.

Optimization tips

Start small, then increase only if needed

A 16px placeholder can be enough for many photos when combined with a gentle blur. If your placeholder looks blocky, try 24px or 32px before jumping to 64px. Increasing dimensions increases the base64 length quickly, so treat size as your primary “budget” control.

Use JPEG for photos, PNG for UI and gradients

Photographs often compress well as JPEG, especially at a quality setting around 70–85. Screenshots, icons, and smooth gradients usually look better as PNG. If you see banding or odd artifacts, switch formats and compare the output length.

Pair blurDataURL with fixed dimensions

For Next.js, providing accurate width and height helps prevent cumulative layout shift (CLS). If you can, keep the original dimensions alongside your placeholder so layout is stable even before the final image is downloaded.

FAQ