Pixelate an Image
Give a whole picture the chunky 8-bit look, or reduce a photo to an unrecognisable mosaic for a quiz or a privacy-safe thumbnail. Pick a block size, and the effect is baked in on your device.
100% private — this tool runs in your browser. Your file is never uploaded to any server.
How it works
Pixelation works in two passes: the image is shrunk so that each future block becomes a single averaged pixel, then scaled back up with smoothing switched off so the blocks come out as crisp squares. The block size is measured in original pixels, so a 16-pixel setting on a 4000-pixel-wide photo gives 250 blocks across — recognisable but obviously pixelated — while the same setting on a 400-pixel avatar leaves just 25, which is closer to abstract art. This tool pixelates the whole image; if you only want to hide a face or a licence plate, the Blur & Pixelate tool lets you drag a region instead.
Step by step
Add your images
Drop one or more, or tap to choose.
Pick a block size
Smaller numbers keep more detail; bigger numbers give a coarser mosaic.
Pixelate
The mosaic is rendered at full resolution on your device.
Download
Save each result; the stamp shows the block size used.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pixelate a whole image?
Add the file, choose a block size and press Pixelate. The entire picture is turned into square blocks of that size and the result appears with a download button.
Which block size should I use?
For a retro-game look on a normal photo, 8 to 16 px. To make something unrecognisable, 32 px or more. For very large photos, double these numbers — the block is measured in original pixels.
Can I pixelate just one area, like a face?
Use the Blur & Pixelate tool for that — it lets you drag a rectangle over the region. This page applies the effect everywhere.
Does the image stay the same size?
Yes. Width and height are unchanged; only the detail inside is reduced to blocks.
Is pixelation safe for hiding sensitive text?
At 32 px or larger, yes — each block holds almost no recoverable detail. Very small blocks over text can sometimes be partially reconstructed, so err on the large side for anything private.
Can I undo it?
Not from the pixelated file — the detail is gone by design. Your original is never modified, so simply keep it.
Is my image uploaded?
No. Both passes run in your browser using the canvas element. Nothing leaves your device.
Does it work on several images at once?
Yes — drop a batch and every image is pixelated with the same block size, each with its own download.