Piskel
Free online sprite editor and pixel art tool. Create animations and export as GIF.
Open the official app on www.piskelapp.com
This tool is hosted by its maintainers. Click below to open www.piskelapp.com in a new tab — it's their official demo.
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Choose how you want to get started.
Use it free
Open the official tool or demo — no account needed.
Self-host it
Run the open-source version on your own infrastructure.
What is Piskel?
Piskel is a free, open-source web tool designed for creating animated sprites and pixel art. It enables users to design characters, animations, and tilesets directly in a browser without requiring installation. The tool is particularly popular among indie game developers, pixel artists, and educators due to its simplicity and accessibility. Piskel addresses the challenge of producing high-quality 2D animations and sprite sheets by providing an intuitive interface for frame-by-frame editing. Its offline versions for Windows, macOS, and Linux cater to users needing local access, though these are not actively maintained. The project’s open-source nature allows customization and community contributions, making it a versatile choice for both beginners and experienced creators.
How it works
Piskel is an online editor for creating animated sprites and pixel art, accessible via any modern web browser. It allows users to design characters, animations, and tilesets without specialized software. The tool is ideal for developers, artists, and educators seeking to produce retro-style graphics or game assets. Its open-source model and browser-based design prioritize ease of use and accessibility. Piskel supports sprite animation, pixel art tools, and layered backgrounds. Users can export projects as GIFs, PNGs, or ZIP files for spritesheets. The platform includes a child-friendly version, Piskel for Kids, for educational use.
How to use it
- 1Open https://www.piskelapp.com in a browser and select 'Create Sprite' or 'Piskel for Kids' for simplified tools. 2. Use the grid to draw pixels, add layers for animation, and create frames. 3. Adjust frame delays and preview animations in real time. 4. Export to GIF, PNG, or ZIP via the 'Export' menu. Practical tips: Use landscape orientation for better workspace visibility. For offline use, download the latest version from GitHub, but note that updates are infrequent. The kid-friendly mode restricts advanced features for safety.
What it can do
- Utility
Use cases
Assumptions and limitations
Assumptions
- source: https://github.com/piskel
- license: Open source
- privacy: Opens an external demo
Limitations
- Offline applications are outdated and lack recent feature updates
- Limited advanced tools for complex animation workflows
- No native mobile app support for on-the-go editing
- Export quality may degrade for high-resolution projects
- Community-driven development leads to inconsistent release schedules
Understanding the result
Free online sprite editor and pixel art tool. Create animations and export as GIF.
Tool details
- Clearly flagged when a network request is needed.
- No account, no sign-up, and no tracking of your content.
- Powered by piskel (MIT).
- Built with
- piskel (https://github.com/piskel)
- License
- MIT
- Runs locally
- No — requires a network request
- Verification
- Not yet verified
- Input
- Text
- Output
- Output
Built with https://github.com/piskel. OpenToolVault provides the discovery and browser interface while crediting the original project maintainers.
- Built with
- piskel
- License
- MIT
Open-source project
OpenToolVault is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by this project.
References
- /piskel — GitHub Repository
Upstream project · GitHub
Frequently asked
What is Piskel and what can it be used for?
Piskel is a free, open-source web tool for creating animated sprites and pixel art. It is used by game developers, artists, and educators to design characters, animations, and tilesets. The tool supports frame-by-frame animation, layered backgrounds, and export formats like GIF, PNG, and ZIP for spritesheets. Its kid-friendly version, Piskel for Kids, is tailored for educational use.
How does Piskel handle sprite animation and export?
Piskel allows users to create animations by editing individual frames on separate layers. Frame delays can be adjusted in real time, and the live preview feature lets users see the animation as they work. Export options include animated GIFs for sharing, PNG files for static sprites, and ZIP archives for sprite sheets. The web-based version leverages browser capabilities for rendering, while offline apps use bundled code from the GitHub repository.
How do I export my Piskel project as an animated GIF?
To export as an animated GIF, click the 'Export' button in the top menu, select 'Animated GIF,' and configure settings like frame delay and quality. The tool automatically generates the GIF from your sprite sheet, allowing you to download it directly. For larger projects, exporting as a ZIP file with PNG frames is recommended for maintaining resolution.
How does Piskel compare to alternatives like Aseprite or Krita?
Piskel focuses on sprite animation and pixel art with a lightweight, browser-based interface, making it ideal for quick projects. Aseprite offers more advanced animation tools and is better suited for professional game development. Krita, while a powerful digital painting tool, lacks built-in sprite animation features. Piskel’s open-source model and offline apps provide flexibility, but its feature set is more limited compared to dedicated animation software.
What should I do if Piskel fails to export my project?
Export errors may occur due to corrupted files or incompatible settings. Check that all frames are properly saved and that export options match your project’s requirements. For offline versions, verify that the downloaded app is up-to-date. If issues persist, try clearing the browser cache or using a different browser. The GitHub repository offers troubleshooting guidance for specific error messages.