Click to upload or drag & drop a photo
Processed entirely in your browser — nothing is uploadedPixelating a whole photo vs. just part of it
This tool applies the mosaic effect across the entire image, which suits a retro/8-bit aesthetic or fully obscuring a photo's content. If you only need to hide a face or a small detail while keeping the rest sharp, our pixelate face tool lets you select just that region.
How to use Pixelate Image
- 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's a good block size for a retro game look?
Larger block sizes (30–60px) give a more obviously blocky, retro feel; smaller sizes (4–10px) obscure detail while staying closer to the original shapes.
Does this work the same as the blur tool?
No — pixelating creates hard-edged blocks of averaged colour, while blurring softens edges smoothly. They give different visual effects even at similar strengths.
Can I pixelate just a face instead of the whole photo?
Yes — use our pixelate face tool for a selectable region instead of the whole image.