Pixelate JPG
Add a mosaic to censor faces or private details in JPEGs, in your browser
Pixelate a JPEG to censor detail
Pixelation replaces fine detail with a grid of large blocks, the classic mosaic look used to censor faces, license plates, signatures, addresses and screens. Compared with a blur it reads as a deliberate redaction, and at a large enough block size it is very hard to reconstruct what was underneath. It is also a fun retro effect for artwork and avatars.
Adjust the block size to control how coarse the mosaic is, preview it live, and download the censored image. The whole process runs in your browser, which keeps the sensitive original on your device.
How to pixelate a JPG
- Drop your JPG into the box above, or click to choose it.
- Raise the pixel-size slider until the area you want to censor is unrecognizable.
- Preview the mosaic to make sure nothing readable remains.
- Click Download JPG to save the pixelated image.
When to pixelate instead of blur
Clear, deliberate censoring
Big mosaic blocks obviously signal that something was hidden on purpose, which is ideal for redacting screenshots and photos.
Harder to reverse
A coarse pixelation throws away more information than a light blur, making the original detail much harder to recover.
A retro visual effect
Beyond privacy, pixelation gives images a nostalgic, low-resolution style for avatars and art.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between pixelate and blur?
Blur smears detail into a soft haze, while pixelate replaces it with solid blocks. Pixelation looks more like an intentional censor bar and, at large block sizes, hides detail more definitively.
How big should the blocks be to censor something?
Large enough that the shape underneath is unreadable. For faces and text, increase the block size until you cannot make out any feature or character in the preview.
Can pixelation be undone?
Once downloaded, the mosaic is permanent in that file. A coarse setting cannot be reversed, so keep your original if you still need it.
Does it change the image size?
The dimensions stay the same; only the pixelated region looks blocky. Resize separately if you also need different dimensions.
Is my image uploaded?
No. Pixelation happens entirely in your browser, so your file never leaves your device.