Eraser Tool

The Eraser Tool permanently removes pixels from the active layer, replacing them with transparency (if the layer supports it) or with the background color (if working on a locked Background layer). It functions similarly to the Brush Tool but removes pixels instead of adding them.

Photoshop offers three eraser variants: the standard Eraser (brush-like removal), the Background Eraser (intelligently removes background colors), and the Magic Eraser (removes all similar pixels with one click). Each serves a different purpose in the pixel removal workflow.

Where to Find It

The Eraser Tool is located in the toolbar, represented by an eraser icon. Press E to activate it. Click and hold the icon to reveal the Background Eraser and Magic Eraser options, or press Shift+E to cycle through them.

How to Use

• Select the Eraser Tool: Press E or click the eraser icon in the toolbar.
• Adjust brush settings: Set the eraser size, hardness, and opacity in the Options bar. A soft brush creates faded transparency; a hard brush creates sharp edges.
• Erase pixels: Click and drag over the pixels you want to remove. On a normal layer, this creates transparency. On a Background layer, it reveals the background color.
• Erase to history: Hold Alt (Option on Mac) while erasing to restore the area to its state from the History panel (like a reverse eraser).
• Use block mode: In the Options bar, switch to Block mode to erase in a fixed square block shape, useful for pixel-level editing.

Settings & Options

• Brush Preset: Set size, hardness, and shape of the eraser tip.
• Mode: Brush (soft erasing with opacity control), Pencil (hard-edged erasing), or Block (fixed square eraser).
• Opacity & Flow: Lower opacity removes pixels partially, creating semi-transparency. Flow controls how quickly the eraser builds up.
• Erase to History: When checked in the Options bar, erasing restores the area to its previous state rather than removing pixels.

Pro Tips

• Instead of erasing, use a layer mask — it's non-destructive and allows you to hide or reveal pixels without permanently deleting them.
• Use the Magic Eraser Tool to quickly remove a solid-colored background with a single click — set a low Tolerance for precise results.
• When working on complex compositions, keep each element on a separate layer and use the Eraser Tool sparingly — layer masks give you the freedom to make changes later.

Common Mistakes

• Using the Eraser destructively: Erasing pixels is permanent. Once saved and closed, erased pixels cannot be recovered. Always use layer masks for non-destructive editing.
• Erasing on a Background layer: The Background layer doesn't support transparency. Erasing here reveals the background color instead. Convert to a regular layer first (double-click the layer).