What Is an Image BlurHash Generator?
In today’s pursuit of exceptional user experience, page load speed and visual continuity are critical. Have you ever been bothered by “white screens” or abrupt image pop-ins while images are loading? The Image BlurHash Generator is a developer-focused tool designed to solve exactly this problem. By compressing complex images into extremely short strings, it allows your website to display an elegant, visually pleasing blurred placeholder before the actual image finishes loading.
What Is BlurHash?
BlurHash is an algorithm invented by engineers at Wolt that encodes an image into a short ASCII string (typically only 20–30 characters). This string represents the image’s color distribution and basic structure. When decoded, it produces a blurred preview of the original image. Because the string is so small, it can be stored directly in a database and delivered alongside API responses, enabling near-instant visual placeholders during image loading.
At its core, BlurHash is based on Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), the same mathematical foundation used in JPEG compression.
- Color component extraction: The algorithm decomposes the image into frequency components.
- Basis function encoding: It retains only the lowest-frequency information—large color blocks and lighting—while discarding high-frequency details.
- Base83 serialization: These components are then serialized using Base83 encoding into a compact string, such as
UEL4$#O0yD-;~qoLRQNG%#xuVsIVV[Rjxut7.
Why Use BlurHash?
Compared to traditional loading spinners or plain gray placeholders, BlurHash offers distinct advantages:
- Superior loading experience: Users immediately see a blurred background that matches the original image’s color palette, reducing perceived wait time.
- Eliminates layout shift (CLS): The placeholder reserves the image’s space in advance, preventing content from jumping when the image loads.
- Minimal data overhead: A few dozen characters are negligible in size and far more efficient than storing low-quality image placeholders (LQIP).
- Cross-platform support: Well-supported decoding libraries are available for Web (React, Vue, Angular), iOS, and Android.
Why Choose Our Online Image BlurHash Generator?
- Privacy-first: All processing runs locally in your browser. Your images are never uploaded to any server, ensuring complete data privacy.
- Bidirectional functionality: In addition to image-to-BlurHash conversion, we also provide BlurHash preview. Simply paste an existing hash string to instantly visualize its blurred result.
- Simple workflow with instant feedback: No complex setup or scripts required. Just drag and drop your image, get immediate results, and copy with one click.
- Completely free with no limits: No usage caps, no registration, and no login—built to provide straightforward support for the developer community.
How to Use the BlurHash Generator
Image to Hash
- Upload an image: Drag and drop an image into the dashed area on the left, or click to upload.
- Automatic generation: The tool instantly generates and displays the preview on the right.
- Get the result: Click the copy button in the “Output BlurHash” field to copy the generated string.
Hash to Preview
- Switch mode: Click the “BlurHash Preview” tab at the top.
- Paste the code: Enter your BlurHash string into the input field.
- View instantly: The preview area will immediately render the corresponding blurred image.
Use Cases
- Masonry and waterfall layouts: Such as Pinterest-style image grids.
- Mobile app covers: Providing smooth visual feedback under poor network conditions.
- Personal blogs and portfolios: Enhancing perceived quality and professionalism.
- Video thumbnail placeholders: Displaying color-matched backgrounds before video content loads.