Image Dithering
Apply a retro ordered dither to any image, tune it live, and download the PNG. Free, in your browser.
What dithering does
Dithering draws an image with a small set of colors by arranging tiny dots in patterns the eye blends back into smooth shades. It started as a hardware workaround: early screens and printers could only show a handful of colors, and dithering faked the rest. The constraint became a style, and the grainy texture of early Mac interfaces, pixel art, and risograph prints is now used on purpose.
This tool applies ordered dithering, also called Bayer dithering. A fixed threshold matrix (2x2, 4x4, or 8x8) decides which pixels light up, which gives the pattern its regular, woven look. Color steps controls how many levels each channel keeps, and turning Original colors off reduces the image to black and white.
Dithering is also the classic fix for gradient banding. We wrote about why in our grainy gradients guide.
How it works
Drop an image
Drag, drop, paste, click, or tap. JPG, PNG, WebP. The file never leaves your browser.
Tune the dither
Pick the Bayer matrix, set the dither size and color steps, and flip Original colors off for a monochrome look.
Download the PNG
Full resolution, crisp pixels. You can also carry the image's palette straight into the mesh gradient generator.
Questions people ask
How do I add a dithering effect to an image online?
Open the InstantGradient image dithering tool, drop in your image, and it is dithered live. Pick a Bayer matrix (2x2, 4x4, or 8x8), set the pixel size and number of color steps, then download the PNG. It runs in your browser, free, with no sign-up.
What is the best free image dithering tool?
The InstantGradient dithering tool is free with no sign-up or watermark. It applies ordered Bayer dithering with a real-time WebGL shader, offers fine-to-chunky presets, a monochrome mode, and exports a full-resolution PNG. Because it runs on your device, it works on private images too.
How do I make a retro or 1-bit dithered image?
Use the Mono preset, which reduces the image to two color steps with a tight Bayer matrix for the classic 1-bit, early-Macintosh look. Raise the dither size for chunkier pixels, or switch Original colors off for pure black and white.
Is this image dithering tool really free?
Yes. It is completely free with no sign-up, no watermark, and no export limit. InstantGradient makes money from an optional pass on the mesh gradient generator, not from this tool.
Do my images get uploaded to a server?
No. Your image is read locally and processed by a WebGL shader running in your own browser. Nothing is uploaded, so you can use private or client work safely.
What size is the download?
The exported PNG matches your original image resolution, capped at 4096 pixels on the longest side, which is enough for print and large screens.
Why does my dithered image look blurry after saving?
Dithering is single-pixel detail, and JPEG compression smears exactly that. Always keep it as a PNG (this tool exports PNG) through your whole pipeline, or the crisp dot pattern turns to mush.
Can I dither a gradient or an animation?
Yes. This tool dithers a still image, but the InstantGradient mesh gradient generator applies the same dithering shader to an animated mesh gradient you can export as a 4K image, an MP4 video, or code. Generate a palette, pick a shader style, and toggle Dithering in the effects list.
More free tools
The shader behind this tool is open source: paper-design/shaders (MIT). Same shader, same defaults as the effect in our editor.