The 3 Rules of Pixel Art

By · October 16, 2026

For pixel art to look like pixel art, it has to meet three simple rules. It is made in raster software. It is small enough that you see the pixels without zooming in. And every single pixel gets your attention.

People argue a lot about what pixel art is and what it isn't. Here is my simple take. It comes down to three rules, and you can check any artwork against them in a few seconds.

Rule 1: Make it in raster software

All graphics on the internet are either vector or raster. Vector graphics are made of paths. Raster graphics are made of pixels. And to make pixel art, we need pixels, right? So the first rule is simple: draw it in a raster app. I use Aseprite, but any raster editor works.

Rule 2: Keep it small

Pixel art is made at a relatively small size, so you can see the pixels without zooming in. If your canvas is too big, the pixels get tiny and the outlines get so thin that it stops looking like pixel art. I recommend a canvas of 500 to 600 pixels at most.

Rule 3: Give every pixel attention

This is the one that makes the biggest difference. Pixel art shows care and detail in every pixel: where the light hits, where the shadow sits, how the edges read. Nothing is left to chance.

One desk, three rules

Here is the example from my lesson. On the left I made a desk in raster software. Does it look like pixel art? I don't think so. In the middle the canvas is small enough that you can see individual pixels, but it is still far from pixel art. On the right I gave attention to every pixel. Now we're getting somewhere.

A flat brown desk with a black outline, drawn in raster softwareRule 1
The same desk at a small size where single pixels are visibleRule 2
The finished desk with wood texture, light and shadow in every pixelRule 3
The same desk after each rule.

Quick checklist

Before you call a piece finished, answer yes to these three questions:

  • Do I make it in raster graphics software?
  • Do I see the pixels without zooming in?
  • Do I give attention and detail to every pixel?

If all three are a yes, you are making real pixel art. Keep this checklist close when you work.

Why a converted photo fails rule 3

You can turn any photo into pixels with a tool like our image to pixel art converter. It passes rule 1 and rule 2 easily. But it fails rule 3, because a converter averages colors instead of placing each pixel on purpose. That is why converted images look a bit messy, and why artists clean them up by hand.