ShottieTo pixelate part of an image, open it above and drag over the area; it turns into large square blocks. Pixelation is best for faces, avatars, photos and number plates. For passwords or card numbers, use Cover, which leaves nothing recoverable.
How to pixelate an image
- Open, drop or paste the image.
- With Pixelate selected, drag over each area. To pixelate the whole image, drag from corner to corner.
- Download the PNG, or Copy it straight into a message.
How pixelation works
Pixelation shrinks the image, then enlarges it without smoothing, so each block takes the average colour of the pixels it replaced. This tool sizes the blocks from the image: about 1/70 of its average side, so blocks are around 14 pixels on a 1280 × 800 screenshot and larger on bigger images. That keeps the effect looking the same whatever size you start with.
Pixelate or blur?
| Pixelate | Blur | |
|---|---|---|
| Looks | Deliberate, graphic | Soft, quiet |
| Best on | Faces, photos, avatars | Text, backgrounds, previews |
| Hides secrets? | Not reliably for text | Not reliably for text |
On the last row: pixelated text has been recovered in public research (see Depix). Covering it with a solid box is the only method that removes the information. The blur tool page goes into which method to use for what.
Pixelating faces and other people
If you're posting a screenshot of a video call, a group photo or a chat with profile pictures, pixelate the people who didn't agree to be in it. Use a box a little larger than the face; pixelation near the edges of a tight box can leave a recognisable outline.
Also useful
To point at what's left visible, add an arrow or numbered steps in the same editor before you download.
A quick check before you post
- Zoom to 100% and look at each pixelated area: can you guess any word or face?
- Check the edges of the image, like the address bar, tabs and notifications, for anything you missed.
- Look for the same detail twice: an email pixelated in the body often still shows in a sidebar.
- Export the PNG and view it in another app, which shows exactly what others will see.
Pixelated areas also survive re-compression on social platforms well: blocks stay blocks, unlike subtle blurs, which can turn muddy. That makes pixelation the more predictable choice for images you'll post publicly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pixelate part of an image for free?
Open the image on this page, drag over the area with the Pixelate tool, and download the PNG. No account or watermark, and it all runs in your browser.
Can I pixelate the whole image?
Yes. Drag the Pixelate tool from one corner of the image to the other.
Can pixelated text be read again?
Sometimes. Tools like Depix have recovered text from pixelated screenshots, so use Cover for passwords and numbers.
Why are the blocks bigger on larger images?
Block size scales with the image so the effect looks the same at any resolution: about 1/70 of the image's average side.