Ready to get started? Open the free Pixel Art App here.
Want to give your photo a retro gaming look?
This Pixel Art Image Tool transforms ordinary photographs into colourful pixel artwork inspired by classic computer and console games. By replacing fine detail with bold blocks of colour, you can create anything from subtle pixelation to a striking 8-bit or 16-bit style image.
Upload your picture
Click Upload Image or drag a photograph into the upload area to begin. Bright, colourful subjects with clear outlines usually produce the best results, although almost any image can be converted into pixel art.
If you would like to compare your work with the original photograph, click Original Image to restore the uploaded picture and reset the controls.
Create the pixel effect
The Pixel Size control changes the size of the coloured blocks that make up the image. Smaller settings preserve more detail, while larger settings produce the bold, blocky appearance associated with early arcade and home computer games.
Colour Levels reduces the number of colours used in the picture. Lower values create a simpler retro look, while higher values keep more of the original shading and detail.
Fine-tune the artwork
The remaining controls let you customise the finished image. Pixel Strength adjusts how strongly the effect is applied, Dithering adds a classic patterned texture, and Edge Boost makes outlines appear sharper and more defined.
You can also adjust Saturation, Brightness and Contrast to create brighter arcade-style graphics, darker retro scenes or more colourful game-inspired artwork.
Experiment with different styles
There is no single setting that suits every photograph. Portraits often look best with smaller pixels, while vehicles, buildings and bold landscapes can produce striking results with much larger blocks and fewer colours. Try different combinations until you find the style you like.
If you are aiming for a classic 8-bit appearance, increase the pixel size and reduce the colour levels. For a more modern pixel-art look, use smaller pixels and allow more colours to remain.
Download your pixel artwork
When you are happy with the result, choose JPG, PNG or WebP and download the finished image. Your original photograph is never changed, so you can return at any time and create another pixel-art version with completely different settings.