Image to pixel art converter
Choose an image, block size and retro palette to create pixel art. Processing runs in your browser without sending the image to a server. Save the result as PNG.
upload · pixelate · download
Turn a photo into pixel art
Choose an image, block size and palette to see the result. Save it as PNG.
Drop an image or choose a file to convert it to pixel art. The browser reads the file locally without sending it to a server.
Choose an image.How to convert an image to pixel art
This browser tool turns a photo into 8-bit-style pixel art. Use it for profile pictures, indie-game concept images, bead or cross-stitch references and retro thumbnails. Here, 8-bit describes the visual style; it does not guarantee a specific console format or an actual 8-bit color limit. Choose the block size and one of the original-color, automatic 16/32-color, Game Boy, CGA, grayscale or sepia palettes.
Source reading, pixelation, color transforms and PNG generation run in your browser without sending the image to Toolvil. Check image usage rights separately. Automatic palettes use a fixed starting seed so the same input pixels and settings produce repeatable color extraction. Choosing another image or resetting prevents older file and copy callbacks from replacing the current status.
When this tool is needed
- Turning a photo into retro pixel art
- Trying the look of a limited Game Boy or CGA palette
- Making a reduced-color reference for beads or cross-stitch
Before converting
- Clear contrast between the subject and background makes the result easier to recognize.
- Larger blocks produce coarser, more abstract pixel art.
- Save as PNG to preserve crisp edges rather than adding JPEG compression.
How to use
- Drop an image or choose it in the file area. You can also load the bundled sample.
- Choose the block size with the slider.
- Select original colors, automatic 16/32 colors, Game Boy, CGA, grayscale or sepia.
- Optionally boost contrast or enable the block grid to divide a reference into cells.
- Review the result, then download PNG or copy the image to the clipboard.
Choosing a block size and palette
Small blocks (4~12px) retain more detail and suit portraits or logos. Large blocks (20~64px) make a coarser, more abstract retro image. Game Boy uses four green tones; CGA uses cyan, magenta, white and black. Grayscale removes hue, while sepia adds a warm vintage tint. Choose automatic 16/32 colors to reduce the colors of your own image. Fixed-seed k-means extracts representative colors from the processed pixels so repeated settings are reproducible.
Making a bead or cross-stitch reference
Choose a block size that suits your reference and reduce the color count with a palette. Fewer colors can make supplies easier to organize; larger cells are easier to count. Turn on Show block grid to see cell boundaries in the result and in the downloaded PNG. Click a color chip to copy its HEX code as a screen-color reference. It does not match the exact colors of a particular bead or thread brand. Check print scale and product colors separately.
Conversion method and output limits
Pixelation averages each block and fills it with that color. Fixed palettes choose the closest RGB color, while automatic 16/32-color modes extract representative colors with fixed-seed k-means. Files must be 25MB or smaller. Images larger than 1600px on the longest side are reduced proportionally. The PNG keeps that processing size. It is not console-specific data or an exact color chart for commercial beads or threads.
Images are processed in your browser without server uploads. Appearance depends on the source, block size and palette. PNG preserves the resulting pixel edges.
FAQ
What block size should I use for photo pixel art?
Try 4~12px when the subject is small or detail matters, and 20~64px for landscapes or a coarser abstract look. Move the slider to compare several block sizes on the same photo.
How do the retro and automatic 16/32-color palettes work?
Fixed modes map each pixel to the nearest RGB color in a predefined four-color Game Boy or CGA palette. Automatic 16/32-color modes extract representative colors with k-means and a fixed seed. The same input pixels and settings therefore reproduce the palette. Grayscale uses luminance; sepia applies a vintage color transform.
Can I use the result as a bead or cross-stitch reference?
Yes. Increase the block size and limit the color count to make cells easier to count. Show block grid draws cell boundaries, including in the PNG. Click a color chip to copy its HEX reference. Check the print scale and the colors of your physical materials before using the reference.
Are my images sent to a server?
No. Reading and conversion run in your browser. Toolvil does not send the original or result to its server or store them there. Local processing does not establish image usage rights; check that you have permission to use the source.
Should I save the result as PNG?
PNG is recommended. JPEG uses lossy compression, which can soften sharp pixel edges or introduce artifacts. PNG preserves the resulting pixel colors and boundaries without that compression loss.