Pixelate an Image
Add a blocky, mosaic pixelation to any image. Hide sensitive details completely or get a retro 8-bit look. Adjustable block size, instant preview, one credit to download the full-resolution result.
2 free credits · No signup · ~10 seconds
Downscale-then-upscale with smoothing off — a crisp mosaic.
Why use this effects tool
Clean square mosaic
The image is shrunk and blown back up with smoothing switched off, so it breaks into crisp square blocks rather than a soft haze. A single control sets how large the blocks are, taking you from a light decorative mosaic all the way to heavy, unmistakable censoring.
How pixelation works
Downscaling averages each future block down to a single colour, then upscaling with nearest-neighbour sampling paints that one colour across the whole block. Because the averaging step throws the fine detail away permanently, the blocks are flat and uniform, and everything runs live on an HTML canvas.
A real censor, not a soft blur
Unlike a blur, pixelation fully destroys the detail inside each block, so faces, licence plates, and private information cannot be recovered from the result. For genuinely sensitive content, choose a large block size so no recognisable structure survives inside any single block.
Pixelate versus blur
Blur keeps edges and shapes faintly readable and adds a soft, cinematic mood, which is easy to partly reverse. Pixelate replaces regions with solid blocks and removes detail outright. Reach for pixelate when you need a hard, honest censor, and blur when you only want gentle softening.
Getting a clean retro look
For deliberate pixel-art, pick a block size that leaves the subject recognisable while still reading as chunky squares. Bold, high-contrast images pixelate the best because each block keeps a strong, distinct colour. Very small blocks give a subtle texture, while large blocks lean into an 8-bit video-game feel.
How to pixelate an image
Upload your image
Drop in a PNG, JPG, WebP, or SVG. The image loads onto the canvas and appears in the preview right away.
Set the block size
Choose how coarse the mosaic is: small blocks for a light textured effect, large blocks for a hard, unrecoverable censor.
Preview and download
Check the mosaic in the preview panel. Downloading the full-resolution version uses one credit and a free account.
Pixelate an Image — in the editor
The real editor, start to finish — no signup needed to try it yourself.
2 free credits · No signup · ~10 seconds
When you need it
Censor details
Fully obscure faces, licence plates, or private data before sharing.
Retro 8-bit look
Give artwork a deliberate pixel-art, video-game aesthetic.
Teasers
Pixelate a reveal image for a countdown, spoiler, or drop.
Backgrounds
Turn a photo into an abstract mosaic backdrop for text.
Safe screenshots
Block out tokens, IDs, or messages in a screenshot before posting.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Pixelate your image now
Set the block size and download a clean mosaic.