What is Dithering Tool?

This dithering tool applies classic algorithms like Floyd-Steinberg, ordered (Bayer), and Atkinson to reduce an image's color palette while keeping detail readable. Use it for retro pixel art, smaller file sizes, or prepping images for limited-color displays and print.

Floyd-Steinberg diffuses quantisation error to neighbouring pixels for soft, organic grain. Ordered (Bayer) uses a fixed threshold matrix and produces the cross-hatched look familiar from early games. Atkinson spreads less error and gives a cleaner, higher-contrast result favoured by classic Mac graphics.

How to use

1. Upload an image (PNG, JPG, or WebP) that you want to apply dithering to.
2. Choose a dithering algorithm (Floyd-Steinberg, Ordered, Blue Noise, Atkinson, Sierra, Stucki, Jarvis, or None) and either keep the auto palette or pick a retro preset like Game Boy, NES, or 1-bit black-and-white.
3. Dial in the look with the diffusion strength, pixel scale, and brightness/contrast/saturation sliders, switch between the side-by-side and drag-slider views to compare against the original, then download the result as PNG.

When to use

• Converting modern photos into 1-bit or 16-colour pixel art for retro game assets.
• Shrinking PNG file size by quantising to a palette before saving.
• Preparing graphics for e-ink displays, receipt printers, or other 1-bit devices.

Result

A game artist uploads a 24-bit character sprite and applies Floyd-Steinberg dithering with a 16-color palette to achieve a retro aesthetic that matches their pixel art game's visual style.

FAQ

Which dithering algorithm should I choose?

Floyd-Steinberg suits photographs because the error spread looks like grain. Ordered Bayer is best for the deliberate Game-Boy or Mac-OS-1 aesthetic. Atkinson keeps fine detail crisp and is the closest match to original 1984 Mac graphics.

What does the colour count actually do?

It sets how many distinct colours the output may use, picked automatically from the source image. Two colours give pure black-and-white dithering, sixteen looks like early VGA, and sixty-four is close enough that you mostly get file-size savings.

Why does the dithered image look noisy when I zoom in?

That is how error diffusion works. From a normal viewing distance the eye averages the speckle into smooth tone. If the noise bothers you up close, lower the diffusion strength for a gentler effect, switch to Ordered Bayer for a regular pattern, or raise the colour count.

Can I dither to a fixed palette like NES or Game Boy?

Yes. The Palette section has built-in presets for the Game Boy DMG (4 olive-greens), the Commodore 64 (16 colours), the NES, CGA mode 4, ZX Spectrum, Apple II, PICO-8, plus pure 1-bit black-and-white, a warm sepia two-tone, and a 16-step grayscale ramp. Pick one and the color-count slider locks itself to that palette so the output stays faithful to the original hardware. Prefer your own colours? Choose Custom and add, recolor, or remove swatches to dither to any palette you like.

Does the file save as indexed PNG with a real palette?

The download is a regular RGBA PNG. Visually it uses only your chosen colours, but the file format is the same as any other PNG. Indexed-PNG output is on the wish list for further file-size savings.

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