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Image to pixel art

Turn any photo into retro pixel art. Set the pixel size, reduce the color palette, toggle a grid overlay, and download the pixelated result.

Image to Pixel Art

Upload a photo and dial in the retro look.

Live preview

Upload a photo to start.

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How pixelation works

The photo is downscaled to a tiny grid, each cell becoming one flat color, then scaled back up with smoothing disabled so every pixel stays crisp and square. Bigger pixel sizes mean chunkier retro blocks. The preview is capped at 800 px so sliders stay responsive.

Palette reduction

Limiting colors to 16, 8, or 4 levels per channel mimics old console hardware. The 4-color mode echoes the Game Boy's iconic green-tinted look and gives sprites an authentic retro feel.

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Image to Pixel Art FAQs

What pixel size looks best?
8 to 16 px gives a clear retro look while keeping the subject recognizable. Above 32 px the image becomes abstract blocks.
Why does my pixel art look blurry?
The preview canvas uses pixelated rendering. If a download looks soft, view it at 100% zoom; some image viewers smooth small images.
Can I make real game sprites?
Yes. Use a small source or large pixel size, pick the 4 or 8 color palette, and download the PNG for your sprite sheet.
Does it keep transparency?
Yes. PNG transparency survives pixelation and palette reduction.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything is computed on canvases in your browser.
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