To get an invisible pfp on Discord, make a square PNG with a fully transparent background in any image editor that supports transparency, then upload it as your avatar. Discord crops avatars into a circle, so the picture looks empty and shows your theme colour behind it. It only looks invisible when your theme matches the one behind it.
There's no special Discord setting for an invisible avatar. It's a trick that uses a see-through image, and it has a few limits you should know about before you spend time on it.
What people mean by an invisible pfp
A pfp is a profile picture, and if you're not sure of the term, my short guide to what pfp means covers it. An invisible pfp is a blank or see-through avatar, so your circle in chats and member lists looks empty.
People usually want one for a few ordinary reasons. Some like the clean, minimal look. Some run a private server and don't want a face on show. Some simply think it's funny.
It helps to be clear about what it isn't. It doesn't hide you from anyone, because your name, status and messages are all still visible. It also doesn't make your username invisible. Discord used to allow names made of blank spaces, but usernames and display names now follow character rules, so that old trick no longer works.
Make a transparent PNG yourself
You don't need to download anything special or visit any particular site. Any image editor that supports transparency will do, such as a free photo editor on your phone or computer. The steps are general, because every editor names its buttons differently.
- Create a new image and make it square. A square shape stops Discord cropping it in odd ways.
- Choose a transparent background if the editor offers that option. If it starts with a white background instead, delete the background layer so you see a chequered pattern.
- Leave the image completely empty. Don't draw anything, and don't add a tint, a border or a shadow, because even a faint mark will show up.
- Export or save the image as a PNG. Choose PNG on purpose, because JPG can't hold transparency and will turn your empty space white or black.
- Check the saved file by opening it on top of a coloured background. If the colour shows through, the transparency worked.
If your editor asks whether to keep transparency when saving, say yes. This is the step that goes wrong most often.
Upload it on desktop
- Open Discord on your computer.
- Click the settings cog next to your name at the bottom of the window to open User Settings.
- Go to Profiles.
- Click Change Avatar and choose your transparent PNG.
- Crop or position it if Discord asks, then apply and save your changes.
If you'd like the full walk-through, with the same steps for any picture, see my guide on changing your Discord profile picture.
Upload it on your phone
- Open the Discord app and tap your profile picture to open your own page.
- Tap Edit Profile.
- Tap your avatar and pick the PNG from your photo library or files.
- Adjust the circle, confirm, and save.
Menu names can look different from one app version to the next. If you can't find a button, open your settings and search for the word Profile or Avatar.
On a phone, save the PNG as a file or in a folder, not just in the camera roll. Some photo apps quietly convert PNG pictures to JPG when they save them to the gallery, and that destroys the transparency before you've even uploaded it.
Why it still shows a circle or a colour
This is the part that surprises people. Even with a perfect transparent file, your avatar may not look invisible.
| What you see | Why it happens | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| A dark or light circle | Transparent pixels show whatever is behind them, which is Discord's theme colour | Accept it, or check how it looks in both themes |
| A coloured default avatar | The upload failed or the file wasn't accepted | Re-export as PNG and try again |
| A white or black square | The image was saved as JPG or lost its transparency | Save again as PNG with transparency on |
| The old picture | Your phone or computer is showing a saved copy | Restart the app, or clear its cache |
Because the empty circle takes on the theme colour, it only looks invisible to people using the same theme as you. Someone on a dark theme sees a dark circle, and someone on a light theme sees a light one. Neither is a blank hole in the screen, but on matching themes it blends in well.
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If an old picture is stuck on your account, a stale saved copy is usually the cause. My guide to clearing the Discord cache walks through it.
Other ways to get a clean, minimal look
If the transparent trick isn't giving you the result you want, there are quieter options that never depend on the theme. You could use a single flat colour that matches your server's mood, a very small simple shape in the middle of an otherwise empty picture, or a plain dark square. They're easy to make in the same editor, and they look the same for everyone, whatever theme they use.
A good test is to preview your new avatar at a small size before you upload it. Avatars appear tiny in member lists, so anything delicate disappears. Simple, bold and flat usually looks best.
Animated avatars and the rules
Animated avatars, such as a moving GIF, need a paid Nitro plan. You don't need one for a plain transparent PNG, so there's nothing to buy for this trick. Check the current terms in the app if you're interested in the paid plan.
Discord's community guidelines still apply to every picture you use, including an empty one. A few sensible rules:
- Don't use a blank avatar to pretend to be someone else, such as a moderator, a friend or a staff member. Impersonation isn't acceptable.
- Don't use it to dodge a ban or mislead a server's moderators.
- If a server asks members to use a visible picture, follow that rule. Server owners are allowed to ask.
- Keep your own safety in mind. A blank picture doesn't protect your name or your messages.
Used honestly, it's a harmless bit of style. If a server owner asks you to change it, change it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make my Discord username invisible?
No. Blank-space usernames no longer work because usernames and display names have character rules. An invisible avatar only changes the picture.
Does a transparent avatar hide me from other people?
No. People can still see your name, status and messages. It only makes your picture look empty.
Why does my invisible avatar show a dark circle?
Discord crops avatars into a circle, and the transparent area shows the theme colour behind it. A dark theme gives a dark circle.
What file type should I use for a transparent avatar?
Use PNG. JPG can't store transparency, so it turns the empty space into a solid colour.
