Pixel Art Dithering

Dithering fakes extra colors by mixing pixels in patterns. Used well it adds texture; used badly it adds noise. Here is how to decide.

What dithering actually does

With few colors, gradients band into stripes. Floyd–Steinberg dithering — the method in the converter — pushes each pixel’s rounding error to its neighbors, trading bands for a fine dot texture that reads as intermediate shades at normal size.

Gradient shown solid, banded in flat steps, and smoothed with dithering — Figure: bands versus dot texture — dithering trades stripes for grain that reads as tone.

When it helps

Smooth gradients: skies, vignettes, skin, metal.
Low color counts (4–8), where bands would be harshest.
Print and large display, where texture disappears into tone.

Close-up of checkerboard dithering pattern in two blue tones — Figure: the classic checker — alternating pixels fake the in-between shade.

When it hurts

Flat cartoon art: dots pollute clean fills — turn it off.
Tiny sprites (16–32 px): texture competes with the shapes themselves.
Art destined for hand-editing: noise multiplies cleanup work. Convert clean, then add texture deliberately.

Clean flat red square next to the same square polluted with dithering noise — Figure: on flat fills the dots read as dirt — switch dithering off.

Why Sharp pixels disables it

Sharp pixels means hard edges and flat fills — the philosophical opposite of error diffusion. The converter enforces the choice: Sharp on, dithering off. Compare three renders (dithered / plain / sharp) in the side-by-side preview and pick per image, not per habit.

Frequently asked questions

Dithering on or off?

On for gradients, off for flat cartoon fills and tiny sprites. When in doubt, render both and compare.

Why can’t I combine Sharp and dithering?

They are opposites: hard flat fills versus diffused texture. The tool enforces one look per render.

Will dithering increase my file size?

Often yes: dot texture compresses worse than flat fills, so dithered GIFs weigh more. Clean gradients also export smaller.

Does dithering work on transparent sprites?

Yes — dots only land on opaque pixels while transparency stays clean, so shaded stickers keep crisp cut-out edges.

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