Apply classic dithering effects to your images with custom color palettes. Create retro pixel art, vintage computer graphics, or artistic posterization effects. Add or remove colors to build your perfect palette.
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Image dithering reduces colors in an image while maintaining visual detail through strategic pixel patterns. This technique creates the illusion of color depth using limited palettes, producing retro computer graphics, classic video game aesthetics, or artistic posterization effects. Floyd-Steinberg dithering algorithm distributes color quantization errors to neighboring pixels for smooth gradients.
Upload any photo to start applying dithering effects. Switch between Floyd-Steinberg for smooth gradients or Atkinson for sharp MacPaint-style results. Choose preset palettes like Game Boy, CGA, or black and white, or build custom color palettes by adding or removing colors with the color picker. Adjust pixel size (1-8) for increasingly blocky retro effects. Customize error diffusion weights for experimental artistic looks. Real-time preview shows instant results. Download as PNG to preserve exact pixel patterns.
Floyd-Steinberg dithering spreads color errors across 4 neighboring pixels for natural-looking gradients and smooth tonal transitions. Atkinson dithering distributes errors to 6 neighbors creating sharper, high-contrast results with slightly brighter images - the signature look of classic MacPaint graphics. Both algorithms support custom error diffusion weights and pixel size adjustments for retro blocky effects. Each produces distinct visual characteristics perfect for different artistic styles from photographic to pixel art.
Use dithering for retro video game graphics, 8-bit style social media posts, or vintage computer aesthetic designs. Apply limited color palettes to photos for artistic effect, creating posters with bold posterization. Dither images for web graphics with reduced file sizes while maintaining visual interest. Create custom pixel art from photographs or design assets for indie games and nostalgic digital art projects.
Customize error diffusion weights to create unique dithering patterns - adjust how color errors spread to neighboring pixels for experimental effects. Floyd-Steinberg uses 4 weights (right, bottom-left, bottom, bottom-right) while Atkinson uses 6 weights for wider error distribution. Pixel size control (1-8) creates blocky retro pixel art effects by processing images in larger blocks. Pre-process images with brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness adjustments before dithering. Build unlimited custom palettes perfect for brand colors, game console aesthetics, or artistic themes.