How do I reduce the colors in an image?

Select an image, choose the number of colors to keep, and export the simplified result.

What does reducing image colors do?

It limits the image to a smaller palette while preserving its overall appearance, creating a cleaner, stylized look.

When should I use a color reducer?

Use it for limited-palette artwork, retro-style graphics, web optimization, or displays that support fewer colors.

What file formats can I export?

You can export as PNG, JPEG, WebP, TIFF, BMP, or HEIC.

Is this tool free to use?

Yes — completely free, no account needed. Your images are processed entirely in your browser and never uploaded to a server. Downloads have no watermarks.

← Online Artistic Photo Effects

Reduce Image Colors Online

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What you can expect

Reduce the number of colors in an image while preserving visual quality. Useful for creating stylized images, optimizing for web, or preparing assets for limited-color displays.

Related tools

More BrushCue tools that fit this workflow.

See all tools →

Dithering Effect

Apply an ordered Bayer dithering pattern to any image. Choose the number of color levels, set the pixel size of the pattern, and blend the effect with the original.

Pixelate

This tool groups nearby pixels into square blocks to reduce detail. Smaller blocks retain more detail, while larger blocks create a stronger, mosaic-like effect, allowing control over how much the image is simplified.

Halftone

Generates a halftone effect. Composes your image of a bunch of dots of sizes corresponding to the brightness of each area. Control the dot and background color, the size of the regions and a contrast adjustment to make this effect look exactly how you want it.

Duotone Effect

Map image shadows and highlights to two custom colors with contrast-boosted lightness curves for rich, professional color grading.

Grayscale

Convert photos to black and white instantly with this browser-based grayscale tool. Great for classic effects and tonal experimentation.

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Online Artistic Photo Effects

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Online Color Effect Tools

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Frequently asked questions

How do I reduce the colors in an image?: Select an image, choose the number of colors to keep, and export the simplified result.
What does reducing image colors do?: It limits the image to a smaller palette while preserving its overall appearance, creating a cleaner, stylized look.
When should I use a color reducer?: Use it for limited-palette artwork, retro-style graphics, web optimization, or displays that support fewer colors.
What file formats can I export?: You can export as PNG, JPEG, WebP, TIFF, BMP, or HEIC.
Is this tool free to use?: Yes — completely free, no account needed. Your images are processed entirely in your browser and never uploaded to a server. Downloads have no watermarks.

For developers

Use Color Reducer from Python

Open the Jupyter notebook example to see how to run this tool from the BrushCue Python API, inspect the processing steps, and adapt the workflow for scripts or batch image jobs.

View Python notebook

Build your own

Create projects with your custom presets

Save work, organize projects, and keep your favorite tool setups ready to go. No login required — everything is stored privately on your computer.

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