Image / Effects
Pixel Art Converter
Turn a photo into pixel art: choose the pixel size and the number of colours, and download it enlarged with crisp, square pixels.
Pixel Art Converter: Each square block of the photo is averaged into one pixel, then the colours are reduced to a palette by median cut, which keeps splitting the group of colours with the widest range, and every pixel takes the nearest palette colour. The result is enlarged with nearest-neighbour scaling, so each pixel stays a sharp square. 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
Click, drag and drop, or paste · stays on this device
Each square of pixels is averaged into one colour, the colours are reduced to a small palette by median cut, and the result is enlarged without smoothing so the pixels stay crisp. The photo never leaves your browser.
A worked example
A 1200 × 800 photo with a pixel size of 16 becomes 75 × 50 pixel art, 3,750 pixels in all; with a palette of 16 colours and a download scale of ×8, the file is 600 × 400 pixels with every art pixel an 8 × 8 square.
To build a palette from a photo, use the color palette extractor; for softer looks, photo filters.
Why nearest-neighbour scaling
Ordinary resizing blends neighbouring pixels, which blurs the edges pixel art depends on. Nearest-neighbour copies each pixel into a square, so a 75-pixel-wide image enlarged eight times keeps 75 sharp columns.
How to use it
- Choose a photo.
- Set the pixel size and the number of colours.
- Download the result at the scale you want.
Privacy & limitations
The photo is converted in your browser and never uploaded.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Which pixel size should I use?
Larger blocks give chunkier, more retro art: about 1/40 to 1/80 of the image width suits most portraits and scenes.
Why limit the colours?
Old consoles and pixel-art styles use small palettes; 8 to 32 colours gives the look, while No limit keeps the averaged colours.
Why is the download larger than the preview?
The download scale enlarges every pixel into a square of 2 to 16 screen pixels, so the art stays crisp when posted or printed.
Free tool · runs in your browser · no account required