Convert a photo or AI-generated image into a dithered, retro 1-bit look — the way old Mac, Game Boy and newspaper graphics faked shades with a sparse pattern of dots. Pick error-diffusion (Floyd–Steinberg) or ordered (Bayer) dithering, choose 1-bit ink/paper or low-colour mode, set the number of levels per channel, and enlarge the pixel size for a chunky retro feel. Then save a PNG. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.

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Turn a photo or AI-generated image into a dithered, low-colour, retro look and save it as a PNG — entirely in your browser. Recreate the texture of old black-and-white Macs, the Game Boy, newspapers and early-web GIFs, where shades were faked from very few colours, without opening a heavy image editor. Dithering works by rounding each pixel to a fixed number of tones (levels) and scattering the rounding error as a pattern of dots so your eye blends them back into smooth shading. Choose between two methods: Floyd–Steinberg (error diffusion) spreads the rounding error into neighbouring pixels for an organic, photo-friendly dither, while ordered (Bayer 4×4 / 8×8) dithering uses a fixed threshold map for an even, retro-game cross-hatch. Switch between 1-bit mode, which draws using just an ink and a paper colour, and colour mode, which quantises RGB to a low palette. Use levels per channel (2–6) to control how few tones are used, and pixel size (1–8) to enlarge each dot for a chunkier retro feel. Pick any ink and paper colours — so you can do classic black-on-white, a Game Boy-style green, or any two-tone scheme. The preview is scaled to fit your screen, but the saved PNG is exported at the original pixel size. Load images by dropping, clicking to choose, or pasting from the clipboard. All processing happens in your browser — the image is never sent to any server or API, so it's safe to use even where uploading files is not allowed.

How to use

  1. Load an image by dropping, choosing, or pasting it (nothing is uploaded).
  2. Adjust the method (error diffusion / ordered), mode (1-bit / colour), levels, pixel size, and ink/paper colours.
  3. Save the dithered image as a PNG (exported at the original pixel size).

FAQ

Is my image uploaded anywhere?

No. Loading, converting, and PNG export all happen inside your browser. The image is never sent to any server or API — it all stays on your device, so it's safe to use even in workplaces that block cloud editing tools.

What does dithering do?

It scatters dots to fake intermediate shades when only a few colours are available, so your eye blends them into smooth shading. It's the same trick old black-and-white Macs, the Game Boy, and early-web GIFs used to show photos with very limited colours, giving a grainy retro texture.

What's the difference between error diffusion and ordered dithering?

Floyd–Steinberg (error diffusion) pushes each pixel's rounding error into its neighbours, giving an irregular, organic, photo-friendly result. Ordered (Bayer) dithering uses a fixed threshold map, giving an even cross-hatch with a more uniform, retro-game look. Pick whichever suits your image.

Can I make a Game Boy look or any two colours?

Yes. Set the mode to 1-bit and pick an ink and a paper colour to get any two-tone scheme — green on dark green for a Game Boy feel, or any pair you like. Increasing the pixel size makes the dots larger for an even stronger retro texture.