About the Pixelate Image
Pixelate Image turns a picture, or just part of it, into large coloured blocks. Choose a photo, drag a box over the area to hide, such as a face, an address or a number plate, set the block size with the slider and press Pixelate. You can also pixelate the whole image for a retro or mosaic look. Each block takes the average colour of the pixels it covers. The picture is processed in your browser and never uploaded, and the result downloads in the same format as the original when your browser supports it.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Pixelate Image
- 1Choose a photo from your device.
- 2Pick Part of it to pixelate one area, or Whole image.
- 3For a part, drag the box over the area to hide.
- 4Move the Pixel size slider: higher gives bigger blocks.
- 5Press Pixelate, check the result and download it.
Why people pixelate images
The most common reason is privacy: hiding the faces of bystanders or children before posting a photo, covering a house number or number plate, or masking an email address in a screenshot. Pixelation is also a design effect used for retro game looks, censorship in video stills and mosaic art.
Choosing the right setting
- Low pixel size: a gentle, retro look that still shows the shape of the subject
- Medium: hides small details like eyes and text while keeping the outline
- High: hides identity completely, leaving only large colour blocks
- Use a slightly larger box than the face or plate so no edge is left
Tips for sensitive details
Choose the box generously and check the result at full size before sharing. If the original is still easy to find, such as the unedited photo on the same account, the pixelated copy does not protect anyone. For text, a solid block is safer. If you need a softer effect rather than blocks, try the Blur Image tool.
Related tools
Blur Image softens areas, Crop Image removes the parts you do not need, Add Text to Image and Meme Generator put words on a photo, and Rotate Image fixes orientation. The Compress Image tool reduces file size after editing, and Photo Editor handles general adjustments.
Features
- Pixelate the whole image or one selected area
- Drag-to-select box that works with touch and mouse
- Pixel size slider scaled to the image
- Block colours are averages, so the effect looks clean
- Result saved in the same format as the original when possible
- Photos are not uploaded
- Works on phones and computers
Frequently asked questions
How do I pixelate part of a photo?
Choose the picture, keep the Part of it option, drag the box over the face, number plate or detail you want to hide, set the pixel size and press Pixelate. Everything outside the box stays sharp.
Is pixelation safe for hiding private information?
It is fine for faces and similar details when the blocks are large. It is not safe for text or numbers such as passwords and card numbers, because light pixelation can sometimes be reversed or guessed. For secrets, cover them with a solid block in an image editor instead.
What does the pixel size slider do?
It sets how large the blocks are, relative to the size of the area you are pixelating. A higher value gives bigger blocks and hides more detail. Because it scales with the image, the same setting looks similar on a small photo and a large one.
Will pixelating reduce the quality of my whole photo?
Only the area you choose changes. When you pixelate part of a picture, the rest is kept as it was. The file is saved again, so a JPG goes through one more round of compression at high quality.
Can I make a pixel art look from a photo?
Yes. Choose Whole image and raise the pixel size to get a blocky, retro look. For a fine pixel-art effect use a moderate setting, and for a strong mosaic use a high one.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. The image is read and changed in your browser, and the result is created on your device. Nothing is sent to a server, so it is safe to use with personal photos.