Image Color Simplification Tool

Reduce the number of colors in images using color quantization technology to create artistic images such as cartoon styles and retro effects, with support for batch processing.

Bug report

Browser execution mode: Your data is processed in your browser and is not uploaded to the server.

Speed and Stability: Processing speed depends on your device and browser. For large batch work, the desktop version may be more stable.

Loading tool, please wait...

If the online tool fails to load or run, try the desktop tool.https://tools.yikeaigc.com/

Tool Usage

Return to old version

Select images, set color count and output options, then process and download.

Try a sample or one image first. Batch files are all processed; only the first 20 are shown for review.

Color Quantization Palette Preview Batch ZIP Settings can be saved

Selected Images No file selected

Please select images or load a sample. For multiple files, only the first 20 are shown, but all images will be processed.

Select Images

Supports common image formats such as JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, and WebP. GIFs are processed as static images using the first frame.

Click to select images, or drag images here You can select multiple images at once. Set options before processing to avoid waiting again.

Sample Preview For quick testing

Image List Waiting for images

Set Options

Set the color count, quantization algorithm, and output format before processing and downloading. Fewer colors create a stronger poster or cartoon effect.

Effect Mode Choose a method by image type

Quantization Settings Try the defaults first

Color Count

16 Colors

Quantization Algorithm

Color Matching

Dithering

Sampling Precision

Palette Sorting

Output Settings Batch download auto-renames duplicates

Output Format

JPG/WebP Quality

92%

Output Size

Long Edge Limit

Transparent background fill

Preview refresh

Keep transparent areas Keep original download filename Copy palette summary after processing

Process & Download

Refresh the preview to confirm colors and palette, then process all images. Multiple images will be downloaded as a ZIP.

Effect preview

Please select an image Before preview

Before

Click Refresh Preview after setting After preview

After

Original size-

Output colors-

File changes-

Output Format-

Palette Waiting to generate

Please select images and set parameters before processing downloads.

Download results Not processed yet

Result preview Showing first 20 only

Instructions

Software Instructions

Select image files: Click the “Select Images” area to upload images, or drag and drop images into the upload area. Common formats such as JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, and WebP are supported, and multiple files can be selected in batches.
Use a sample image: To quickly view the effect, click “Load Sample Image”. The tool will generate a sample image for testing the color simplification effect.
Set the effect mode:
- Normal color: Preserves the hue of the original image while reducing the number of colors.
- Grayscale simplification: Converts to a black-and-white palette, suitable for vintage photos, line art, and printmaking effects.
- Warm vintage: Generates an image with warm brown tones, suitable for a nostalgic style.
- Cool poster: Generates a low-saturation image with bluish-green tones, suitable for posters and tech-style visuals.
Configure quantization parameters: You can set the number of colors, quantization algorithm, color matching method, dithering method, sampling precision, and palette sorting. The fewer the colors, the closer the image will look to cartoon, poster, or pixel art effects.
Configure output settings: Choose PNG, JPG, WebP, or keep the original format. You can adjust JPG/WebP quality, long-edge limit, transparent background handling, and save frequently used settings.
Generate a preview: After entering the “Process & Download” page, click “Refresh Preview” to view a before-and-after comparison, output color count, file changes, and the palette.
Batch process and download: Click “Start Color Simplification” to process all images. The interface displays the first 20 results, while all files will be processed; for multiple-file results, click “Download All Results ZIP” to download them as a package.

FAQ

A: Color quantization is a process that compresses a large number of colors in an image into a specified number of colors. It can be used to create cartoon styles, posterization effects, and pixel art assets, and can also help unify the color style of images.

A: If you want an obvious cartoon or pixel-art feel, set it to 4 to 16 colors; if you want to preserve photo details, set it to 32 to 128 colors. It is recommended to generate a preview with the default parameters first, then adjust according to the image content.

A: Median cut is faster and suitable for batch images; K-Means refinement continues clustering based on the initial palette, usually producing more refined color distribution, but processing time will increase.

A: Dithering uses dot patterns or error diffusion to reduce gradient banding, making a limited number of colors look more natural. Ordered dithering is suitable for retro textures, while Floyd-Steinberg and Atkinson are suitable for reducing color banding.

A: Choose PNG when you need a transparent background; choose JPG for photo-like images and adjust the quality; choose WebP when you need a balance between clarity and file size. You can also choose to keep the original format.

A: By default, the original file names are preserved as much as possible, with only the extension replaced according to the output format. If duplicate names occur, a number will be appended to the file name to prevent packaged results from overwriting each other.

A: If the original image already has few colors, such as an icon, Logo, or solid-color illustration, the difference before and after simplification will be relatively small. You can reduce the number of colors, or enable grayscale, retro, or cool-tone mode to enhance the style change.