The short answer
Why use Posterize?
When you already know the look you want, opening a full photo editor is overkill. One slider gets you there, and you can stop before the detail disappears.
Posterize rounds each color channel to a fixed number of steps. At Amount 0 every channel keeps 16 levels, the default of 50 keeps 9, and 100 leaves only 2 per channel, which is 8 possible colors in the whole picture. Higher values mean fewer, flatter bands.
The steps are evenly spaced and the same for every photo; they are not picked from your image. At high amounts that can put green or purple bands into skin. If you want a few flat colors that actually come from the photo, use Dithering with the method set to None, which builds its palette from the image.
Smooth gradients such as a clear sky show the bands first. Fine texture like hair is not simplified, so for a flat painted look run Cartoon or Oil Painting before you posterize.
Where Posterize fits
Screen-print mockups
Preview how a photo would look printed with only a few flat ink levels.
Pop-art posters
Turn a portrait into bold color bands for a poster or an album cover.
Stencil prep
Reduce a photo to a few tone steps before you trace it into a stencil.
Start to finish
How to use Posterize
- 01Tap Choose image, drop a photo on the box, or use Paste from clipboard.
- 02Drag Amount away from its default of 50, which keeps 9 levels per channel. Higher values leave fewer, flatter bands.
- 03Tap Apply changes, then Download result to save the posterized PNG.
What to expect from Posterize
| Check | What it means here |
|---|---|
| Supported input | JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, SVG and browser-supported AVIF images |
| Main controls | Amount slider, plus a color picker for effects that need one |
| Output | A PNG image with the effect applied |
| Working limit | 50 MB and 50 megapixels per image |
Posterize tips
- Amount 100 leaves 2 levels per channel, only 8 colors in the whole picture.
- Smooth gradients such as a clear sky split into stripes long before textured areas change.
- If hair or grass still looks busy, run Cartoon or Oil Painting before you posterize.
- For flat colors picked from the photo itself, use Dithering with the method set to None.
Posterize FAQ
Something missing? Ask us.
How many colors does Posterize leave?
Does Posterize upload my file?
Is Posterize free to use?
Why did Posterize fail or look wrong?
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