Image to ASCII
Convert an image into ASCII (or Unicode block) art. Adjustable width and three character ramps (standard 70-char, simple 10-char, unicode blocks). Output is plain text — paste anywhere monospace renders.
About Image to ASCII
Convert any image into ASCII art or Unicode-block art. Pick a width (10–400 characters), a character ramp (the classic 70-char Paul Bourke ramp, a simple 10-char ramp, or 5 Unicode blocks), and invert for dark-mode terminals. The result is plain text — paste it into a README, a chat, a terminal banner, anywhere monospace renders. Runs entirely in your browser; the image never leaves your device.
- Category
- convert
- Input
- Accepts: image/png, image/jpeg, image/webp, image/gif or image/bmp.
- Output
- Outputs: text/plain.
- Cost
- Free, runs in your browser
- Memory
- low
Common uses
- Generate an ASCII banner for a CLI tool's `--help` output.
- Make a README header from a logo without bundling an image.
- Convert a photo into terminal-friendly art for a server MOTD or login screen.
- Build retro-style social posts where ASCII matters.
- Quick-preview an image inside a terminal that doesn't support sixel or kitty graphics.
Frequently asked questions
Which image formats are supported?
PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF, and BMP. For GIFs only the first frame is rendered.
Why does the output look stretched?
Terminal characters are roughly twice as tall as they are wide. The tool compensates automatically (`CHAR_ASPECT = 0.5`), so a square image renders as a square output. If you copy the result into a context with different glyph proportions, expect some stretch.
When should I invert?
Invert if you plan to display the ASCII on a dark background. The default ramp goes from light characters (sparse) to dark (dense), so dark areas get more ink — perfect on white. Invert flips that so dark areas read as light, which works on black.
What's the difference between the three ramps?
Standard (70 chars) gives the most gradient detail and the best photo reproduction. Simple (10 chars) is more legible at narrow widths and copies cleanly across fonts. Blocks (Unicode ░▒▓█) renders almost like a low-res image — best for logos and simple shapes.
Keywords
- ascii
- art
- image
- text
- convert
- unicode
- terminal
- banner