How to pixelate an image
- Drop the image on the box above. The whole picture is pixelated to start with.
- Use Strength to choose the block size, from fine mosaic to big chunky pixels.
- To pixelate just faces or text, untick Apply to the whole image and drag a box over each area.
- Click Download to save.
How pixelation works
Pixelation divides the area into square blocks and fills each block with the average color of its pixels. Bigger blocks remove more detail. Applied to a whole photo it gives a retro, 8-bit video game look that is popular for avatars and posters; applied to regions it is the classic way TV and news sites hide faces and licence plates.
Block size is relative to the image width, so the effect looks the same on a small screenshot and a large photo. For faces, a strength around 30 is usually enough to make someone unrecognisable. For text, use the black bar mode or a very high strength, since a weak mosaic over large text can sometimes still be read.
The pixelated image is created in your browser and saved as a new file; nothing is uploaded and no metadata is kept.
FAQ
How do I pixelate a face in a photo?
Untick "Apply to the whole image", then drag a box over the face. Repeat for each face.
Can pixelation be reversed?
The original detail is removed, so it cannot be restored, although weak pixelation of short text may be guessable.
How do I make pixel art from a photo?
Pixelate the whole image with a high strength, then add contrast in the photo editor for a bolder look.