Image Pixelator
Apply a pixelate (mosaic) effect to any image in your browser. Adjust pixel size and download as PNG.
Pure browser JavaScript (HTML canvas) — no upload.
How to use this tool
- Choose an image.
- Drag the pixel-size slider.
- Click Download pixelated.
Apply a pixelate (mosaic) effect to any image in your browser. Adjust pixel size and download as PNG.
How it works
The Image Pixelator applies a mosaic effect by dividing the image into square blocks and filling each block with the average color of the pixels inside it. The result looks like a low-resolution version of the original. You can adjust the block size with a slider -- larger blocks produce a more extreme effect.
Upload your image, set the pixel block size, and the preview updates live. Download the result as PNG. All processing happens in the browser; nothing is uploaded to a server.
Pixelation is used to censor sensitive information in screenshots such as faces, license plates, and personal data, to create a retro pixel-art aesthetic, and to demonstrate how image resolution affects visual quality. It is also used in art and design for stylistic texture.
For censorship purposes, use a block size large enough that the underlying detail is genuinely unreadable. Small block sizes may still allow the original content to be inferred.
Worked example
Censor a face in a screenshot
- Upload the screenshot containing the face.
- Increase the pixel block size slider until the face area is fully obscured.
- Check that no facial features are discernible in the preview.
- Click Download to save the censored image.
A screenshot with the face replaced by a mosaic block, suitable for sharing publicly.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using too small a block size when censoring sensitive content, leaving enough detail that the original information can still be read.
- Pixelating an already small image and then needing to enlarge it, which makes the mosaic blocks look jagged.
- Applying pixelation to a JPEG with compression artifacts, which can create an uneven mosaic appearance.
Key terms
- Pixelation
- An effect that replaces regions of an image with uniform-color blocks, reducing apparent resolution.
- Mosaic effect
- Another name for pixelation; named after the appearance of ancient mosaic tile artwork.
- Block size
- The width and height in pixels of each square tile in the pixelation effect; larger values produce coarser results.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this a blur?
- No — it's a true pixelation: the image is scaled down then back up with no smoothing.