Create retro pixel art directly in your browser with this free online editor. Choose from 8×8, 16×16, or 32×32 grids, pick from 16 preset colors or use a custom color picker, and draw with pencil, eraser, flood fill, or eyedropper tools. Undo up to 20 steps and export your creation as a PNG image. No sign-up required — everything runs client-side.
Pixel art is a digital art form where images are created at the pixel level, typically at small resolutions. From classic video games (Super Mario, Zelda, Pokémon) to modern indie games (Celeste, Stardew Valley) and NFT collections, pixel art remains a vibrant creative medium. Constraints breed creativity — working at 16×16 or 32×32 forces deliberate decisions about every single pixel. This editor provides essential tools: pencil, eraser, fill bucket, color picker (eyedropper), undo/redo, and a customizable color palette. The grid overlay helps place pixels precisely. Export to PNG at 1x for web or upscaled (nearest-neighbor) for crisp enlarged versions.
16×16 is classic for characters and icons. 32×32 for more detailed sprites. 8×8 for tiny icons. Start small — pixel art mastery comes from working within tight constraints.
Use nearest-neighbor scaling (not bilinear/bicubic). CSS: image-rendering: pixelated. This preserves crisp pixel edges. Bilinear smoothing makes pixel art look blurry and destroys the aesthetic.
Start with a limited palette (8-16 colors). Consistent palettes create cohesive art. Popular palettes: PICO-8 (16 colors), DB32 (32 colors), or NES palette. Constraints help develop style.
Pixel art animation uses sprite sheets — each frame is a separate image. This editor focuses on static images. For animation, create multiple frames and combine them in a sprite sheet or GIF editor.
Absolutely — export as PNG with transparency for sprites, tiles, and UI elements. Most 2D game engines (Godot, Unity, GameMaker) work perfectly with pixel art PNGs.