🟩 Pixel Art Maker
Grid-based drawing tool to make and export pixel art as a PNG, fully in-browser.
Your Result:
How to Use This Pixel Art Maker
The Pixel Art Maker lets you create crisp, grid-based artwork directly in your browser and export it as a PNG. Set your grid dimensions and cell size, click Generate to set up the canvas, then paint by clicking or dragging across cells. An eraser mode helps fix mistakes quickly, and a simple color palette keeps the workflow fast and focused.
This tool is built with performance and privacy in mind: everything runs locally using the Canvas API with no external libraries or network calls. The interface keeps a single input method with minimal form fields — rows, columns, and cell size — so you can start drawing immediately without configuration overhead. The export button saves a pixel-perfect PNG that you can drop into presentations, documents, or design tools.
- Simple grid setup for predictable pixel layouts.
- Click-and-drag painting with pen and eraser tools.
- Copy and download options for easy sharing.
- Clean preview area that reflects your final export.
- Fully client-side: your drawings never leave the browser.
- High-contrast grid lines that can be toggled off in code if desired.
- Good defaults: 16×16 grid at 16px cell size.
- Responsive rendering with device‑pixel scaling for crisp output.
- Works offline once loaded; no dependencies to install.
- Great for icons, sprites, and quick concept sketches.
How It Works
When you click Generate, the tool initializes a canvas sized to your grid and draws faint grid lines. Painting updates an internal 2D array representing each cell’s color, and the canvas is re-rendered efficiently. Export uses the same canvas to produce a pixel-perfect PNG.
- Initialize grid: The tool reads your rows, columns, and cell size, then creates a canvas with device‑pixel scaling for sharp edges.
- Track state: A 2D array stores the current color for each cell. The active tool (pen or eraser) and selected color are maintained in local state.
- Render loop: Drawing a stroke updates affected cells and re-renders only what’s necessary. Grid lines are drawn for alignment without obstructing color visibility.
- Export: The canvas is converted to a PNG data URL, which is stored as the latest result so you can use the built-in download button to save your art.
- Error handling: Validation ensures rows and columns stay within sensible limits and that cell size is reasonable for viewport space.
- Accessibility: The preview label and clear button make it obvious what you’re editing and how to reset.
- Performance: The Canvas API handles thousands of cells smoothly; very large grids may require smaller cell sizes to fit on screen.
- Privacy: All work is local; the tool never uploads images or data.
- Repeat: Adjust dimensions and regenerate to start a fresh canvas at any time.
- Extensibility: Palettes and symmetry modes can be added without changing the core approach.
When You Might Need This
- • Design tiny icons and UI sprites
- • Create retro game character concepts
- • Mock up pixelated logos or marks
- • Teach grid-based art fundamentals
- • Draft 8-bit or 16-bit style backgrounds
- • Sketch emoji-style tiles and badges
- • Export placeholder sprites for prototypes
- • Visualize patterns and tiling designs
- • Produce social graphics with pixel charm
- • Practice color-blocking and contrast
Frequently Asked Questions
Does export create a true PNG?
Yes. The canvas is converted directly to a PNG data URL and saved as a pixel-perfect image. No scaling or compression is applied beyond the exact canvas size you configure.
How big can my grid be?
The tool supports up to 128×128 cells by default. Very large grids work, but screen space and performance may limit usability. For big pieces, reduce cell size or work in sections.
Are there any external libraries?
No. Everything runs in your browser with native APIs. There are no network requests and no third-party dependencies.
Can I change colors?
Yes. A basic palette is included for quick selection. You can expand palettes or add custom color pickers within the code if needed.
What does the Clear button do?
Clear resets the canvas and the internal pixel grid to blank, leaving your chosen dimensions and cell size unchanged so you can start again quickly.