How to pixelate an image
- 1 Drop your images on the box, or click browse to choose them. You can add many at once.
- 2 Set the pixel size with the slider and check the preview.
- 3 Press Pixelate. One image downloads directly; several come in a ZIP file.
- 4 Check the new size and file size shown under each image.
Pixelate for privacy or style
For privacy, use large blocks and check the preview at full size. For a retro look, small blocks keep the picture recognisable. For a softer look use Blur Image; to remove an area completely, use Crop Image.
- Faces, number plates and screens are the most common things to hide.
- Pixelate a copy and keep the original private.
- PNG keeps pixel blocks perfectly sharp.
Features
Adjustable pixel size
From 2 to 80 pixels per block.
Sharp blocks
Blocks stay crisp, with no smoothing.
Batch
Pixelate many images at once.
When to use it
Hiding details
Pixelate a screenshot or photo before posting. For a softer effect, use Blur Image.
Pixel art
Turn photos into retro game-style art for profiles and posters.
Privacy for children
Hide faces in school or event photos before sharing online.
Design textures
Create mosaic backgrounds for slides and websites.
Related Image tasks
Frequently asked questions
Can I pixelate only a face?
This tool pixelates the whole image. You can pixelate a copy and crop it, or use a photo editor for one area.
What pixel size hides a face?
It depends on the photo size, but blocks of 20 to 40 pixels usually make a face unrecognisable in a typical phone photo.
Is pixelation reversible?
Detail removed by large blocks cannot be restored, but for very sensitive information cropping is still safest.
Does it change the image size?
No. The width and height stay the same; only the detail changes.
Which format is saved?
The same format as the original: JPG stays JPG and PNG stays PNG.
What is the difference between pixelate and blur?
Pixelate turns areas into flat squares; blur smooths everything into soft shapes.
Can I make pixel art from a logo?
Yes. Use a small pixel size on a PNG logo for a retro version.
Why do pixel blocks look bigger on small images?
The block size is in pixels, so on a small image each block covers a larger share of the picture. Choose a smaller size for small images.
Can I use the result in a video thumbnail?
Yes. Pixelated or mosaic images are common in thumbnails and reaction videos to hide details while keeping the scene recognisable.
Does pixelating reduce the file size?
Usually yes, because large flat blocks compress very well, especially as PNG.
Which file format should I save a pixelated image in?
PNG keeps the square blocks perfectly crisp, while JPG can add slight fuzz at the block edges. The tool keeps your original format.
Is it safe to pixelate private screenshots here?
Yes. Everything is processed in your browser, so the original screenshot is never uploaded or stored anywhere.
How this tool works. These image tools run entirely in your browser using the Canvas API built into every modern browser, the open-source libheif decoder for iPhone HEIC photos and Tesseract, a widely used open-source OCR engine, for reading text. Each tool is tested with real phone photos, screenshots and scans before it goes live, and nothing you open is sent to a server.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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