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Posterize an image by reducing color levels

Upload an image and reduce the number of color levels per channel for a flat, screen-print, or comic-style posterized effect. Preview the setting and download the processed image without uploading it to a server.

Use this tool free

Browser tool

Posterize image

Runs locally in your browser. The selected image is not uploaded by this tool.

JPEG, PNG, and WebP are supported by default. Specialized converters restrict the file picker to their required input format.

Choose an image to start.

How to use

1

Upload an image

Drag a JPEG, PNG, or WebP file into the tool. The image loads at full resolution in the editor.

2

Choose color levels

Set the number of color levels per channel. Fewer levels create a stronger poster effect.

3

Preview the effect

Use the browser preview, then adjust levels until the image has the flat-color look you want.

4

Download

Click download to save the posterized image.

Features

1

Adjustable color levels

Choose 2 to 32 levels per color channel to control how strong the posterized effect appears.

2

Local pixel remapping

Each pixel is quantized on browser canvas without sending the image to a server.

3

Client-side canvas processing

Processing uses browser canvas APIs, so the image stays on your device.

4

Download-ready output

Export the posterized result as PNG, JPEG, or WebP depending on the uploaded file and browser support.

After this task

After this free tool, open Ai Enhance for the next AI editing workflow.

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Specifications

Input formatsJPEG, PNG, WebP
Output formatsPNG, JPEG, WebP when supported
Color levels2–32 per RGB channel
PresetsComic bold, screen print, balanced, subtle bands
ProcessingClient-side canvas (no upload)

Related Magic Eraser Tools

Common questions

What color level should I choose?

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Start around 5–8 levels for a clear poster effect. Use 2–4 levels for bold comic bands, or 12–16 levels when you want a subtler graphic look.

Does posterizing reduce the actual color palette?

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Yes. The tool remaps each red, green, and blue channel to fewer steps, which creates flatter color regions while preserving the original image dimensions.

Can I undo the posterize after saving?

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Once downloaded, the posterized pixels are baked into the new file. Keep your original image if you may need the full-color version later.

Want to sharpen instead of posterize?

AI Enhance can intelligently sharpen soft or out-of-focus photos, recovering detail that simple sharpening filters miss. Try it on photos that need the opposite of posterize.

Try it free