JPG cannot be transparent: every JPG has a solid background, usually white, which shows as a box on coloured or grey pages. PNG keeps the see-through background, and every word processor, PDF editor and email app accepts it.

My photo has a shadow across it. Will that show?

Usually not. The paper's brightness is measured all over the photo and divided out before the ink is found, so a shadow or a darker corner turns transparent along with the rest of the paper. A very deep shadow over the signature itself can lose the faintest strokes; retake it in better light if so.

How do I add the signature to a Word document or PDF?

In Word or Google Docs, insert the PNG as a picture and set it to sit in front of the text, then size it over the signature line. For a PDF, open Sign PDF, upload the PNG as your signature and place it on the page.

Is a picture of a signature legally binding?

That depends on the document and the country; many everyday forms accept one, while some contracts need a certified digital signature. This tool only makes the picture - check what the person asking for your signature will accept.

Is my signature uploaded?

No. The photo is read and processed in your browser, and the PNG is made there. Your signature never leaves your computer or phone.

Stays on your computer How this works

Signature to transparent PNG

Sign a sheet of paper, take a photo, and get your signature as a clean PNG with a see-through background - for documents, PDFs and email signatures. Shadows and grey paper are removed. In your browser, with nothing uploaded

Drag & drop a photo or scan of your signature, or browse

JPG, PNG or WebP · on a phone, this opens the camera · or paste a picture with Ctrl+V · nothing is uploaded

For the best result: sign in dark ink on plain white paper, and take the photo straight on, in good light, filling most of the frame.

About this signature to PNG tool

Many forms and documents want a signature as a picture, and a photo of a signature looks wrong pasted onto a page: grey paper, a shadow from the phone, a box around it. This tool keeps only the ink and makes everything else transparent, so the signature sits on the page as if it had been signed there. It evens out uneven light before it looks for the ink, so a quick phone photo works. It is free to use, with no account and no upload limit, and it runs entirely in your browser: nothing is uploaded, and while the page stays open, a feature you have already used keeps working offline.

What you can do

Turn a photo or scan of a signature into a PNG with a transparent background
Remove the paper, shadows and uneven light of a phone photo
Adjust the sensitivity for faint pens or textured paper, and clean up dust specks
Keep the ink's own colour, or make it black, blue or any colour
Crop to the signature automatically and turn a sideways photo upright
Save at full size or sized for documents or an email signature, or copy it straight into another app
Check it on a light or dark background before saving

How to make a transparent signature

Sign a sheet of plain white paper in dark ink, and take a photo of it straight on, in good light.
Drop the photo onto this page, or paste it.
Move Sensitivity until the strokes are complete and the paper is clear; clean up any specks.
Choose the ink colour and size, then save the PNG or copy it.

Questions

Why PNG and not JPG?: JPG cannot be transparent: every JPG has a solid background, usually white, which shows as a box on coloured or grey pages. PNG keeps the see-through background, and every word processor, PDF editor and email app accepts it.
My photo has a shadow across it. Will that show?: Usually not. The paper's brightness is measured all over the photo and divided out before the ink is found, so a shadow or a darker corner turns transparent along with the rest of the paper. A very deep shadow over the signature itself can lose the faintest strokes; retake it in better light if so.
How do I add the signature to a Word document or PDF?: In Word or Google Docs, insert the PNG as a picture and set it to sit in front of the text, then size it over the signature line. For a PDF, open Sign PDF, upload the PNG as your signature and place it on the page.
Is a picture of a signature legally binding?: That depends on the document and the country; many everyday forms accept one, while some contracts need a certified digital signature. This tool only makes the picture - check what the person asking for your signature will accept.
Is my signature uploaded?: No. The photo is read and processed in your browser, and the PNG is made there. Your signature never leaves your computer or phone.

Built by John McMillan, a senior full-stack engineer. Open to remote roles: hire me.

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