PixmintPhoto to Pixel Art
Upload a photo and Pixmint redraws it as retro 16-bit pixel art with crisp square pixels, a limited color palette and dithered shading, keeping the subject, outfit colors and composition.
Photo to Pixel Art example
One run, no re-rolls. Always compare a result with your own original: the model redraws the picture, so small details can change. How this example was made is described in the box further down.
What you get
One image per run, made by GPT Image 2.5 from your photo and the fixed instruction below, at 1K resolution with the aspect ratio nearest to your photo. GPT Image 2.5 is the default for this template and costs 15 credits a run; you can switch model and quality before you press Run.
The model redraws the whole picture, so it can change details that matter to you. It does not edit your file in place, and the original stays untouched.
How to use Photo to Pixel Art
- Upload a photoClick the upload area, drop a JPG, PNG or WebP (up to 20 MB) or paste an image. Large photos are scaled to a 2048 px long side in your browser.
- Press RunPick a model and quality if you like; the button shows the price (15 credits by default). Signed-out visitors are asked to sign in first. New accounts get 50 credits on first sign-in plus 10 every day.
- Compare, download or regenerateDrag the before/after slider to check the result, then download a PNG or JPG. Press Regenerate for another take; it is a new run and costs credits again.
Tips for best results
- Simple compositions read best at low resolution. One or two subjects on a plain background look the sharpest.
- Distinct colors help. Clear hair, skin and clothing colors survive the small palette.
- The pixel grid is simulated. The result is a normal image drawn to look like pixel art, not a real low-resolution file.
- Regenerate if the pixels look uneven; each run draws a new grid.
How these examples were made
This is the exact instruction the template sends to the model with your photo. You cannot edit it here; for your own wording use the AI image editor.
Convert this photo into detailed retro pixel art in a 16-bit video-game style. Keep the subject's identity, hairstyle, outfit colors and pose, and the composition of the photo. Build the picture from a visible low-resolution pixel grid with crisp square pixels, no blur and no smooth gradients, a limited palette of about 32 colors, dithering for shading, and a pixel-art version of the original background. Show the whole scene as in the photo. No text, no interface elements, no watermark.
These examples were generated on Pixmint using the model options, prompts and settings shown. Each prompt was run once per model. The results are illustrative samples, not benchmarks, and may vary between runs.
- Generation date: 2026-11-03. One run, with no cherry-picking across runs.
- Where the original photo comes from: AI-generated sample photo (Seedream 5.0 Pro, 2026-11-03) of a fictional subject: a hiker with a red backpack by a mountain lake; no real person.
- The images on this site are downscaled JPEG copies of the generated file.
Photo to Pixel Art FAQ
How much does Photo to Pixel Art cost?
From 9 credits per run, depending on the model and quality. By default it runs on GPT Image 2.5 (1K at Standard quality) for 15 credits per run, and makes one image. A failed run, and an image that our output safety check withholds, are refunded automatically. The Run button shows the price before you start. Free results are up to 1024 px and carry a small "pixmint.ai" watermark.
Do I need to sign in?
Yes. You can open the page and pick a photo without an account, but pressing Run needs a free account, which comes with 50 credits at first sign-in (enough for 3 runs of this template) and 10 more every day. Daily credits expire at the end of the UTC day.
What happens to my photo?
Your photo is stored in your account on Pixmint and sent, after an automated safety check, to the external AI service provider that runs GPT Image 2.5 to make the result. We do not use it to train models. Photos and results are kept 7 days for free accounts (30 days is planned for paid accounts), or 24 hours if uploaded while signed out, unless you delete them sooner in History. Results of photo templates are never shown in the public gallery. See the privacy policy.
Can I use the result commercially?
Commercial use is planned to come with paid plans, which are not available yet, so today free outputs are for personal, non-commercial use only. You also need the right to use the photo you upload, and anyone shown in it must be fine with how you use the result.
What photos work best?
A clear photo with a simple background and distinct colors. Crowded scenes turn into noisy pixels.
Is the result true pixel art with an exact grid?
Not necessarily. The model draws an image that looks like pixel art, and the pixel size may vary slightly across the picture. If you need a game-ready sprite on an exact grid, treat the result as a reference and clean it up in a pixel editor.
Try Photo to Pixel Art now
Upload a photo at the top of this page and press Run.
Open Photo to Pixel Art