Free Step-by-Step Guide
Turn any photo into a free pixel art color by number template in under a minute. Upload an image, choose your grid size and palette, then color online or download a printable PDF.
To turn a photo into a color by number, upload your image to a converter, pick a grid size and color count, then generate the numbered template. Our free tool does the color simplification and numbering automatically — you just color or print the result.
A photo to color by number template turns an ordinary image into a grid of numbered cells. Each number maps to one color in a small palette, so you recreate the photo one square at a time — paint by numbers, but for pixels. Three things happen automatically: the image is downsampled to a pixel grid, its colors are simplified into a manageable palette, and every cell is labeled with the number of its matching color.
Our free converter handles all three steps instantly in your browser. You choose the grid size and color count, preview the numbered template, then color it online or download a printable PDF with a full color legend — no sign-up, no software, no cost.
Follow these five steps and you will have a printable color by number template in a few minutes.
Choose a sharp, well-lit image with a single subject. Portraits, pets, and simple scenes convert into the cleanest pixel art color by number templates.
Open the converter and upload a JPG, PNG, or WebP file. The tool instantly converts your photo into a pixel grid you can edit.
Pick a grid from 16×16 to 64×64 and limit the palette to 8–24 colors. Larger grids keep more detail; fewer colors make coloring faster.
The preview shows every pixel with its color number and a matching legend. Swap colors or tweak details until the design looks right.
Color right in your browser, or download a printable PDF with the numbered grid and a full color legend for offline coloring.
Bigger grids keep more photo detail but take longer to color and need more colors. Smaller grids finish fast and stay bold. Use the table below as a starting point — you can regenerate any template in seconds until it looks right.
| Grid size | Best for | Suggested colors |
|---|---|---|
| 16×16 | Quick wins and young kids | 4–8 |
| 24×24 | Simple, bold beginner projects | 6–12 |
| 32×32 | Most photos — the all-rounder | 8–16 |
| 48×48 | Faces and pets with good detail | 12–24 |
| 64×64 | Serious pixel art projects | 16–32 |
| 96×96 | Fine pixel art for large prints | 24–48 |
| 120×120 | Maximum detail, long projects | 32–64 |
Clear subject separation means fewer blended colors and a cleaner final design.
The sweet spot for most photos — detailed enough to recognize, simple enough to finish.
The legend sorts colors from light to dark, so matching numbers to paint pots is easy.
Choose “Actual Size” in your printer settings so every square lines up with the legend.
Trimming empty space around the subject gives more pixels to the part that matters.
If you use a specific marker or crayon set, pick a palette with similar tones so the numbers line up with what you own.
A 16×16 grid makes faces and details unrecognizable. Go 32×32 or higher for anything with a face.
64 colors sound impressive, but 8–24 colors are far easier to finish. You can always regenerate with fewer.
Strong shadows and highlights create extra palette entries. Flat, even lighting converts the cleanest.
Before printing, confirm every color in the legend is one you already have or can easily buy.
Yes. Our photo to color by number converter is completely free — no sign-up, no payment, and no download required. You can upload photos, adjust grid size and colors, and download printable PDF templates at no cost.
Sharp, well-lit photos with one clear subject work best. Portraits, pets, flowers, and simple scenes convert cleanly. Busy backgrounds and low-contrast photos need more colors to stay recognizable.
A 24×24 or 32×32 grid works well for most photos. Use 16×16 for a quick, easy project, or 48×48 and 64×64 for detailed artwork with finer pixels.
Between 8 and 24 colors is ideal. Fewer colors are easier to color and better for beginners and kids; more colors preserve photo detail but take longer to complete.
Yes. Every template includes a printable PDF with the numbered pixel grid and a color legend, formatted for standard letter-size paper.
No. Everything runs in your web browser — there is nothing to install. Upload a photo, generate the template, and download the PDF right from the page.
Any JPG, PNG, or WebP works. Photos between 800 and 2000 pixels on the longest side give the best balance of detail and file size. The converter resizes your image to the chosen grid automatically.
Yes. After generating a template, open the online color by number canvas, pick a number, and tap cells to fill them. Your progress is saved in your browser.
The converter accepts JPG, PNG, and WebP images. Most phone and camera photos work directly without any editing.
Yes. Generated templates are free to use for personal, classroom, and hobby projects. No sign-up or attribution required.
Upload a photo, pick your settings, and download a printable PDF with a numbered grid and color legend — free and in under a minute.
