Image to Pixel Art
Turn a photo or picture into pixel art. Choose the size, the palette and the dithering, then download or edit it.
Learn more in the docs →Features
Photo to Pixel Art
Pick an output width from 8 to 256 pixels. Each pixel averages the area it covers, so photos shrink cleanly.
Your Colors or a Console
Keep up to 64 colors taken from the image, or snap it to Game Boy, NES, PICO-8, C64, CGA and more.
Dithering and Crisp Downloads
Add Floyd-Steinberg or ordered dithering, then download at native size or enlarged with sharp pixels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a photo become pixel art?
The image is shrunk to the width you pick, with each new pixel taking the average color of the area it covers. Then every pixel is matched to a small palette, either colors chosen from your image or a retro console palette, with optional dithering to suggest the shades in between.
What output size should I pick?
For game sprites and icons, 32 to 64 pixels wide keeps the classic chunky look. For portraits and scenes, 96 to 128 pixels keeps faces and details readable. The height follows your image so nothing gets stretched.
Which palette should I use?
From the image keeps the look of your photo with 8 to 32 colors. Game Boy gives four greens, PICO-8 and Sweetie 16 give bright 16-color art, and NES or C64 give an authentic 8-bit feel. Try dithering when a small palette makes gradients look banded.
Can I edit the result?
Yes. Click Open in Novaboard to load the pixel art into the free editor, where you can clean up stray pixels, add outlines, animate it or export a sprite sheet.
Is it free, and is my photo uploaded?
It is free with no signup and no watermark. Your photo never leaves your device: the conversion runs in your browser.