Image / Photo workshop
Halftone Effect
Turn a photo into dots or lines, adjust the screen angle and frequency, and try a CMYK separation simulation. Download PNG or vector SVG dots.
Halftone Effect: Samples a rotated screen grid, with larger dots in darker areas. Frequency is screen cells per thousand image pixels. The CMYK option separates approximate cyan, magenta, yellow and black coverage at four angles and blends them with multiply. Images fit within 1200 by 1200 pixels. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
- Category
- Image tools
- Runs
- In your browser
- Cost
- Free · no sign-up
- Availability
- Ready to use
Runs entirely in your browser
Live preview
Choose a photo to preview the effect.
Dot coverage
Dot radius = half the screen spacing × square root of darkness. This makes dot area increase with darkness. Screen frequency describes the local image grid, not a printer’s lines per inch.
Colour separation
Approximate black coverage is one minus the maximum normalised RGB channel; cyan, magenta and yellow remove that black contribution before screening. This is an RGB screen simulation without a press profile. sRGB background: https://www.w3.org/Graphics/Color/sRGB
How to use it
- Choose a photo.
- Set dots or lines, angle, frequency and optional CMYK.
- Download PNG, or SVG when using dots.
Privacy & limitations
Your inputs and images stay in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Is this printer-ready CMYK?
It is a visual simulation, not a press profile or four independent printing plates.
Can I export lines as SVG?
SVG export is available for dots. Line halftones export as PNG.
What does frequency control?
It sets cells per thousand image pixels. A higher value makes more, smaller dots. The preview updates as you change it.
Free tool · runs in your browser · no account required