Click to upload or drag & drop a photo
Processed entirely in your browser — nothing is uploadedGetting a good pixel-art look
Pixel art works best on photos with a clear, simple subject and decent contrast against the background — a face or a single object tends to read more clearly as "art" than a busy, detailed scene. Try a larger block size for a more obviously retro, low-resolution feel, or a smaller one to keep more of the original detail while still getting the blocky texture.
How to use Convert Picture to Pixel Art
- Upload the photo you want to edit.
- Adjust any sliders, colours, or options shown above the upload box — the preview updates as you go.
- Compare the before and after side by side.
- Download the edited photo once it looks the way you want.
Tips for best results
- Try a few different settings before downloading — most sliders here update the preview instantly, so it's quick to compare options.
- Work from your best-quality original; effects applied on top of an already-compressed photo tend to look rougher.
- If you're combining this with another tool (like compressing afterwards), apply this effect first, then compress last.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Can I apply this more than once to stack the effect?
Yes — download the result and re-upload it to apply the effect again, though stacking some effects can look over-processed quickly.
Does this work on PNG images with transparency?
Transparent areas are generally preserved unless the tool specifically converts to JPG, which fills transparency with white.
What photos work best for this effect?
Simple subjects with clear outlines — portraits, single objects, or high-contrast scenes — tend to produce the most recognisable pixel-art results.
Is this the same as the pixelate tool?
It uses the same underlying technique as our pixelate tool, positioned here specifically for the retro pixel-art aesthetic rather than obscuring detail.
Can I get a limited retro colour palette too?
This tool blocks the image into pixels but keeps full colour; a true limited-palette conversion would need additional colour-quantisation, which isn't included here.