Unsharp Mask

Apply the classic photography sharpening algorithm — Unsharp Mask. It subtracts a blurred version from the original to get a detail mask, then blends it back in, giving precise control over sharpening amount and radius. All processing happens locally in your browser.

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Drop a photo or click to upload

PNG, JPG, WEBP, BMP

What Is the Unsharp Mask Tool?

Unsharp Mask is a sharpening algorithm commonly used in professional software such as Adobe Photoshop. It boosts clarity by extracting and enhancing edge detail in the image.

Unlike simple convolution sharpening, Unsharp Mask offers independent amount and radius controls, giving more natural and controllable results.

How to Sharpen a Photo

Follow these steps:

  • Drop or upload the photo you want to sharpen.
  • Adjust the amount (sharpening intensity) and radius (sharpening range).
  • Click Sharpen to preview the result.
  • Download the sharpened image as a PNG file.

Tips

  • For portraits, an amount of 60–80% with a radius of 2–3px is recommended.
  • For landscapes and architecture, you can increase the amount to 100%.
  • Sharpening is usually best done after color adjustments and resizing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an unsharp mask?+
Unsharp Mask is the most classic sharpening algorithm in photography: it applies a Gaussian blur to the image, subtracts the blurred version from the original to get a detail mask, then blends the mask back in by a set ratio. It gives precise control over the sharpening amount and radius.
What is the difference between amount and radius?+
Amount controls the sharpening intensity, i.e. how much of the detail mask is blended in; Radius controls the sharpening range, i.e. the size of the blur kernel used when detecting detail. Small radii enhance fine edges, while large radii affect wider edge regions.
Does sharpening damage image quality?+
Moderate sharpening makes photos look crisper, but too much amount produces white halos and noise that look unnatural. Try starting with an amount of 60–100%.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?+
No. All processing happens locally in your browser — your photos never leave your device.

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Unsharp Mask — free online unsharp mask, sharpen image, photo sharpening, unsharp mask filter, sharpening filter, edge enhancement. No signup required. Works in your browser.