Pixel Art Scaler
Upscale sprite art perfectly using Nearest Neighbor interpolation.
The Problem with Resizing Pixel Art
Pixel art is unique because every single pixel is placed with intention. A 16x16 sprite might take hours to perfect. However, when you try to resize this tiny image for a website, game, or print using standard tools (like Paint, Photoshop default, or online resizers), the result is often a blurry, fuzzy disaster.
This happens because standard scaling algorithms (Bilinear, Bicubic) attempt to "smooth out" the transition between pixels. While this is great for photographs, it destroys the crisp, blocky aesthetic of pixel art. Our Pixel Art Scaler solves this by using Nearest Neighbor Interpolation, ensuring every pixel remains sharp, no matter how much you scale up.
Nearest Neighbor vs. Bicubic
Blurry (Bicubic)
Standard algorithms try to guess the "average" color between pixels. When a black pixel meets a white pixel, it inserts gray pixels between them. This creates a "smearing" effect that ruins pixel art detail.
Crisp (Nearest Neighbor)
Our scaler strictly copies the nearest original pixel without any math averaging. A 1x1 black pixel scaled by 4x becomes a 4x4 block of pure black pixels. No gray, no blur.
Zero Blur
Nearest Neighbor algorithm preserves 100% of hard edges.
Integer Scaling
Scale by exact multiples (2x, 4x) to prevent "mixels" and distortion.
100% Private
Processing happens in your browser. Images are never uploaded.
Drag & Drop
Just drop your sprites onto the page for instant scaling.
Grid View
Visualize individual pixels with the optional grid overlay.
Fast Export
Download optimized PNGs instantly with one click.
Scaling Guide for Common Uses
4x to 8x Scale
Most social platforms compress small images heavily. Scaling your art by 4x to 8x ensures it looks crisp on Twitter, Instagram, and Discord without compression artifacts ruining the details.
2x to 4x Scale
For UI elements or promotional materials, a clean 2x or 4x scale is standard. Always use integer scaling to avoid visual jitter or "shimmering" pixels in motion.
16x to 32x Scale
Printers require high DPI (Dots Per Inch). Scaling a 32px sprite to 1000px+ (approx 32x) ensures the "pixels" are large enough to be printed sharply without printer interpolation blur.
Custom High Scale
For T-shirts or stickers, utilize the Custom Scale feature. Aim for a final width of at least 3000px to ensure the design is crisp at any physical size.
How to Upscale Pixel Art Correctly
- 1Upload your original sprite
Always start with the original, small file (e.g., 16x16 or 32x32). Do not upload an already-blurred resize.
- 2Choose an Integer Scale
Select 2x, 4x, 8x etc. Avoid fractional sealing (like 1.5x) as it forces pixels to split, causing distortion.
- 3Export as PNG
Always download as PNG. Formats like JPG add compression noise that ruins the solid colors of pixel art.
Professional Tips
1Don't Save as JPG
JPG compression introduces "artifacts" (fuzziness) around high-contrast edges. Pixel art is all about high-contrast edges. PNG is king here.
2Stick to Integers
Always scale by whole numbers (200%, 300%). Scaling by 150% forces the computer to make some pixels 1px wide and others 2px wide, creating uneven "mixels."
3Check the Grid
Enable the "Show Grid" option in this tool to verify your scaling. If the grid lines line up perfectly with your pixel edges, you're good to go.
4Batch Processing
Working on a game? Drag your entire sprite folder in here. You can scale all of your assets to 4x for marketing materials in one go.
Who Is This Tool For?
Indie Game Devs
Scale assets for marketing materials, Steam capsules, or high-res UI elements without quality loss.
Pixel Artists
Share your work on social media. A 16x16 sprite is invisible on Twitter; a 512x512 upscale gets likes.
Print On Demand
Create merch from your sprites. Scale up to 4000px+ for T-shirts, stickers, and posters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my pixel art look blurry when I resize it normally?
Standard resizing tools use algorithms like 'Bilinear' or 'Bicubic' interpolation. These methods smooth out pixels to make photos look natural, but for pixel art, this 'smoothing' destroys the crisp, hard edges, creating a blurry, muddy mess. Our tool uses 'Nearest Neighbor' which preserves exact pixel edges.
What is Nearest Neighbor interpolation?
Nearest Neighbor is the simplest resampling algorithm. When scaling up an image, it determines the color of a new pixel by strictly copying the color of the nearest original pixel, without any averaging or blending. This results in sharp, blocky edges—perfect for pixel art.
Can I scale images larger than 4x?
Yes! While we offer quick presets for 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, and 32x, you can use the 'Custom Scale' option to input any integer resizing factor up to 128x, perfect for printing tiny sprites on large posters.
Does this tool work for non-pixel art images?
It works, but it's not recommended for regular photos. Using this scaler on a photograph will make it look blocky and 'pixelated' (which can be a cool stylistic effect!). For high-quality photo upscaling, use an AI upscaler or Bicubic resampling instead.
Are my images uploaded to a server?
No. All processing happens 100% locally in your web browser. Your images never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy and security for your artwork.
What file formats are supported?
You can upload any standard image format supported by your browser, including PNG, JPG, JPEG, WEBP, GIF, and BMP. The tool exports files as optimized PNGs to preserve quality.
Why should I export as PNG?
PNG is a 'lossless' format, meaning it saves every pixel exactly as it functions without compression artifacts. JPG is 'lossy' and introduces noise that ruins pixel art. Always use PNG for sprites and retro graphics.
Can I see the individual pixels?
Yes, you can toggle the 'Show Pixel Grid' option. This overlays a subtle grid on your scaled image, helping you visualize the original pixel boundaries, which is useful for checking sprite accuracy.
Is this tool free?
Yes, the Pixel Art Scaler is completely free to use for personal and commercial projects. there are no watermarks, no sign-ups, and no limits on usage.
Can I drag and drop images?
Absolutely. You can drag images directly from your desktop or folder onto the upload area for instant processing.
How do I fix 'mixels' (mixed pixel sizes)?
This tool prevents mixels by scaling the entire image uniformly by an integer factor (e.g., 2x, 3x). If you have an image that already has mixels errors, this tool will scale the errors faithfully. It's best to fix mixels in your art software before scaling.
What is the best scale for game assets?
For modern 1080p or 4K screens, pixel art games often scale their assets by 4x or higher. If your original sprite is 16x16 pixels, scaling it by 4x (to 64x64) makes it visible and detailed on high-DPI displays.
Does this support transparency?
Yes, full alpha channel transparency is preserved. If your sprite has a transparent background, the exported PNG will also have a transparent background.
Can I use this on mobile?
Yes, the tool is fully responsive and touch-friendly. You can upscale images directly from your smartphone or tablet gallery.
How do I print pixel art clearly?
To print pixel art, you need to upscale it significantly so that one 'art pixel' creates a sharp block of ink dots. Use this tool to scale your image up (e.g., 10x or 20x) until it meets the standard print resolution of 300 DPI for your desired physical size.