Pixelate an image

Decide what the effect should change

Pixelation replaces small areas of an image with larger blocks of color. It can make a photograph look deliberately coarse, or simplify a graphic so its shapes stand out. The control changes block size across the entire image; it does not select or process one face, word, or corner on its own.

I would start with the subject you want people to notice. If the blocks get large enough to merge the subject with its surroundings, the effect may no longer read as a style choice. Keep the original file nearby so you can compare and make another version if needed.

Compare smaller and larger blocks at the viewing size

The slider ranges from 2 to 64 pixels. A smaller value keeps more changes between neighboring areas; a larger value groups more of the image into each block. For example, on the same 1,200 × 800 image, an 8-pixel block preserves more of a sign’s letter shapes than a 32-pixel block. That is a comparison of the effect, not a promise that either setting will keep text readable.

Check the preview at the size where the image will be shared. A large image viewed as a small thumbnail can make the blocks look finer than they will on a full screen. If a face, logo, or small label matters to the composition, inspect that area before downloading.

Do not use pixelation as a privacy mask

Pixelated details can remain recognizable from their outlines, surrounding context, or a few remaining shapes. Do not use this whole-image effect to conceal a name, account number, face, or other sensitive detail. For a local area treatment, the image mosaic tool also offers an opaque solid cover.

Even a deliberately coarse effect is a visual change, not proof that the original information has been removed safely. If a detail must not be shared, use an image editor to make it unreadable, then open the saved copy and confirm nothing remains visible.

Keep dimensions, file size, and transparency separate

The tool writes a PNG at the processed image dimensions. Before applying the effect, it scales the image down when its longest edge exceeds 1,920 pixels. Pixelating an image does not reduce its dimensions, and the PNG may be larger or smaller than the source file; PNG keeps transparent areas and may use more space than a compressed JPG.

If the goal is to meet an upload-size limit, check the downloaded file rather than assuming the blocks will make it smaller. Use an image compressor when file size is the problem, and keep the pixelated version for the visual treatment.

Check the image limits before adding a file

You can add one still JPG, PNG, or WebP image at a time. The file must be no larger than 10 MiB, 12 megapixels, and 12,000 pixels on either side. GIF, animated images, SVG, and HEIC are not supported inputs.

The image is read and processed in your browser. It is not uploaded for pixelation, and the page clears the current image and result when you use Clear. Download a result you want to keep before refreshing or leaving the page.

Questions about pixelating an image