Paint by numbers
Paint by Number Maker: Photo to Paint by Numbers
Turn your photo into a printable paint by numbers outline: choose the number of paint colors and the level of detail, then print the numbered outline and a color key.
1. Image
Your photo is read on your device and never uploaded.
2. Detail
Fewer colors, a larger smallest area and more smoothing give fewer, bigger shapes that are easier to paint.
3. Save and print
Color key
- 1: #388e3c
- 2: #ffad73
- 3: #fecf85
- 4: #7cb342
- 5: #ff9e6d
- 6: #ff9068
- 7: #ffbe7a
- 8: #fbee75
- 9: #2f7d32
- 10: #6d4c41
- 11: #938c54
- 12: #5ca23f
Your image is read and converted in this browser. It is not uploaded, saved or used for ads or analytics, and closing the page clears it, so download the PNG or print the pattern before you leave. Bead, floss and block colors on screen are approximations; check them against your own supplies.
How the paint by numbers generator works
It reduces your photo to a set number of colors, smooths out speckles, joins neighbouring cells of the same color into areas and folds areas smaller than your minimum into the neighbour they share the longest edge with. Each remaining area gets its color number at the point farthest from its edges, so the number has room to be read.
- Start with 10 to 15 colors and a detail of 120 to 160. Raise the detail for big canvases.
- If there are too many tiny areas, raise “Smallest area” or smoothing.
- Print the outline on heavy paper or transfer it to canvas, and keep the colored reference next to you while you paint.
Mixing the colors
The color key lists each number with a hex color. Mix acrylics to match each swatch, or pick the closest tube color; label small cups with the numbers before you start.
Common questions
Can I print it as a PDF?
Yes. Print or save PDF gives the numbered outline on one page and the color key with a colored reference on the next.
The studio notebook
A useful place to begin.
Clear steps, considered details, and ideas you can put to use.
How to Turn a Photo Into Pixel Art (Grid, Crop and Cleanup)
Pick a photo that survives low resolution, crop it tight, choose a grid width that fits your craft, and clean up stray cells by hand for a pattern you can actually make.
How Many Colors Should Pixel Art Have? Palette Size and Dithering
How to pick a color count for pixel art, why fewer colors often look better at small sizes, and when to turn dithering on or off for beads, stitching and crochet.
How to Iron Perler Beads (Fuse Beads) Without Warping
Step-by-step guide to ironing Perler and Hama fuse beads with ironing paper, plus fixes for holes that stay open, warped boards and beads that stick to paper.
Cross Stitch Fabric Count and Size Chart (Aida 11, 14, 16, 18)
How Aida fabric count controls finished cross stitch size, with a simple formula, a worked example, framing margins and how many strands of floss to use.
How to Read a C2C Crochet Graph (Corner to Corner)
Learn how corner-to-corner crochet graphs work: what each square means, where to start, how diagonal rows grow and shrink, and how to follow color changes.
Minecraft Pixel Art Building Tips: Walls, Blocks and Planning
Plan Minecraft pixel art on a grid, choose between wool, concrete and terracotta, count stacks and shulker boxes, and build row by row without losing your place.