Retro image
Sixteen game colours for any photo. Your images never leave your device.
- Your files are never uploaded
- Processed on your device
- Works offline
- Free, no sign-up
Drop your images here
Images · up to 10 files, 100 MB each
or paste with Ctrl+VLive preview
Settings
No settings needed. Every pixel maps to the nearest of sixteen PICO-8 retro colours.
Nothing is uploadedHow it works
Add your images
Choose JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, AVIF or HEIC images to give a retro look.
Map to retro palette
Each pixel moves to its nearest PICO-8 colour, from black and navy to pink and peach.
Download the results
Save each retro PNG on its own or download them together as a ZIP.
What retro mapping does
Retro mapping replaces every pixel with the closest of sixteen PICO-8 game colours, a fixed set of black, dark blue, maroon, teal, brown, grey, white, red, orange, yellow, green, sky, lilac, pink and peach.
Photos become bold posters with flat fills, while pixel art and logos gain an authentic console feel. Fine gradients turn into clean stepped shapes by design.
One click, game palette
Add images and convert: no sliders are needed because the sixteen colours are fixed. The same nearest-colour search runs for every file, so series stay matched for comics or sprites.
Retro mapping is applied where your files live — inside your browser. No copy is posted elsewhere and previews vanish when the tab closes.
When retro helps
Use retro for thumbnails, stickers, game mockups or party invites that need a playful eighties feel. High-contrast originals work best; hazy photos turn muddy because few palette greys exist.
For even bands try Bit depth image, and for browser history try Web-safe image with 216 colours. Download the retro PNG, or batch a whole set and collect the results in one ZIP.
Questions
Are my images uploaded?
No. Retro mapping runs inside your browser. Your images never leave your device.
What is the PICO-8 palette?
A fixed sixteen-colour set from the PICO-8 fantasy console, chosen for readable game art with strong hues.
Can I undo the effect?
No, mapping discards shades that cannot be rebuilt. Save a copy and keep the original for other edits.
Is it free?
Yes. Free to use, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily limits.
Related tools
More free tools that run on your device. No uploads