Image to ASCII Art

Sample an image into a grid of ASCII characters with a chosen width and brightness direction.

Files stay on your device No sign-up Free to use
How this works

The tool runs in this browser. Your file or text is not uploaded to UseFreeTools. Check this tool's limits for anything it may save on your device.

Privacy details

Convert to ASCII controls

Drop your image here

or choose one from your device

One JPEG, PNG or WebP, up to 64 MiB, 24 megapixels and 10,000 pixels per side.

    Rows use a 0.5 character aspect ratio; at most 20,000 characters are sampled.

    How to use Image to ASCII Art

    1. Choose a JPEG, PNG or WebP image.
    2. Set the column count and brightness direction for your text background.
    3. Convert the image and view the result in a monospaced font.

    Example: Image to ASCII Art

    A local worked example using the inputs and settings below for image to ascii art.

    You add
    Image: ["sample.png (348 bytes)"] Text columns: "80" Invert light and dark: false
    You get
    Created 80 × 30 ASCII grid. sample-ascii.txt

    Options

    Columns
    More columns retain a finer sampled pattern but create wider plain text. Actual text height depends on the stated character-aspect convention and destination font.
    Invert
    Invert reverses the brightness-to-character direction. Choose the direction that reads well on the destination background.

    Supported inputs and limits

    File sizeOne image up to 64 MiB
    Working pixels24 megapixels
    FormatsJPEG, PNG and WebP
    One image up to 64 MiB, 24 megapixels and 10,000 pixels per side. Width: 10–200 columns; at most 20,000 sampled cells. The stated character-aspect adjustment estimates text height; actual fonts can differ. Alpha is composited onto the stated background for brightness sampling. Output is plain text, with no colour, animation or retained source detail.

    Where your input is processed

    This tool processes your input in this browser. Your text and files are not uploaded to UseFreeTools. Check this tool's limits for anything it may save on your device.

    Spaces and font affect the visible picture

    The output is plain text with no color data. Proportional fonts or collapsed whitespace can distort it. Use a monospace area and inspect the complete line width before sharing.

    Questions about Image to ASCII Art

    Why does the art look stretched?

    Characters are often taller than they are wide. The height adjustment is an estimate; use a monospaced font and check its line spacing.

    How does the character ramp work?

    Each sampled brightness is assigned to a ramp character. Dense marks represent one end of the range and spaces represent the other.

    When should I invert it?

    Invert the brightness direction when the original ramp looks reversed against your editor background. Check the result where you plan to use it.

    Project manager: Tony Hines · Content updated 4 October 2026 · Report a problem