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Guide · Open source

How to use BlurHash: placeholders for images

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

BlurHash is an open-source library that turns an image into a short text string. That string can be decoded back into a blurred, colorful placeholder that an app shows while the real image loads. This guide is for developers who want to understand what BlurHash is, how to get the code, and where it fits. The README supplied for this page was empty, so the steps below cover only what is confirmed.

BlurHashwoltapp/blurhash · ★ 17.1k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Confirm it fits your project. Check that you are building a developer-facing app and that a blurred placeholder is acceptable for your images.
  2. 2Clone the repository. Run the git clone command for woltapp/blurhash to get the source code on your machine.
  3. 3Read the files in the repo. The supplied README was empty, so look through the cloned files for build steps and API documentation.
  4. 4Build the library. Follow the build instructions you find in the repository, since none are provided in this guide.
  5. 5Encode and decode. Use the encoder to turn an image into a string, then the decoder to turn that string into a blurred placeholder.
  6. 6Show the placeholder. Display the decoded placeholder while the full image loads, then swap in the real image.

What BlurHash does

BlurHash takes an image and produces a very compact representation of it, a short string of text. Decoding that string gives back a blurred image with the main colors kept. The placeholder is meant to fill the space where a picture will appear, so users see color and shape instead of an empty box.

The placeholder is lossy by design. It shows the general color layout of an image, not its exact detail. If you need the original image, BlurHash does not replace it.

  • Output: a short text string
  • Result when decoded: a blurred, colorful placeholder
  • Written in: C
  • License: MIT

Get the BlurHash source code

The project is distributed as source code on GitHub. Clone the repository with the command below. The source does not list any prerequisites, so check the repository files once you have them locally.

  • Clone the repository from the woltapp organization on GitHub
  • Project homepage: https://blurha.sh
git clone https://github.com/woltapp/blurhash

Build and use the library

The install method for this project is clone-and-build. The source material does not include build steps, compiler flags, or API examples, so this page does not provide them. Read the files in the cloned repository to find the build instructions and the encoder and decoder interfaces.

  • Look in the cloned folder for build and usage documentation
  • Encoding turns an image into a string; decoding turns the string into a placeholder
  • Show the decoded placeholder while the full image loads

When BlurHash is a good fit

BlurHash suits developers building apps that load images over slow connections, teams that want a small placeholder instead of a blank box, and projects written in C that need a compact image placeholder encoder.

It is not an end-user app. It is also not the right choice if you need the exact image rather than a blurred preview.

  • Good fit: apps on slow connections, C projects, lightweight placeholders
  • Poor fit: end-user apps, exact image needs

Compare BlurHash with similar tools

Comparable projects include Thumbhash and LQIP. Both aim to give a small visual stand-in for an image while the full file loads. The source material does not include a benchmark or feature comparison, so choose based on your language, platform, and output needs after reading each project's documentation.

  • Thumbhash
  • LQIP
  • ThumbHash

What people use it for

  • Showing a colorful placeholder in a photo gallery while images load over a slow connection
  • Filling image slots in a feed with a compact stand-in instead of a blank box
  • Adding a lightweight image placeholder to a C-based application

Frequently asked questions

How do I install BlurHash?

The install method is clone-and-build. Run git clone https://github.com/woltapp/blurhash to get the source. The supplied README was empty, so build steps are not confirmed here; check the cloned repository for them.

Is BlurHash free to use?

BlurHash is licensed under the MIT License. Check the license file in the repository for the full terms.

What language is BlurHash written in?

BlurHash is written in C. It is a developer library, not an end-user application.

Does BlurHash give me the original image back?

No. The placeholder is lossy by design. It gives a blurred, colorful preview, so you still need the real image file for full detail.

What are the alternatives to BlurHash?

Comparable projects include Thumbhash and LQIP. Compare their language support, output, and documentation against your project's needs.

What are the system requirements for BlurHash?

The source lists no prerequisites. Check the repository files for any build requirements before you start.

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Our verdict

BlurHash suits developers who want a compact, blurred image placeholder and work in C or can use its code. It is not a good choice for end users or for anyone who needs the exact image, and this page cannot walk you through setup because the supplied README was empty.

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