Paint by Number Generator
Turn any photo into a printable paint by number pattern: a numbered outline, a colour key with the paint colours, and a coloured preview. Pick how many colours and how much detail. It runs in your browser. Free to use.
You get a numbered outline, a colour key and a coloured preview to print. Your photo is processed in your browser and is never uploaded.
How to make a paint by number from a photo
- 1
Upload a photo
Upload a JPG, PNG or WEBP: a pet, a family photo, a landscape or a favourite place. Photos with clear shapes and good light give the cleanest pattern.
- 2
Choose colours and detail
Pick 8 to 30 colours and Simple, Medium or Detailed. Fewer colours and Simple give bigger areas that are quicker to paint; more colours look closer to the photo.
- 3
Download and print
Download the numbered outline with its colour key as a PNG, or print it and save it as a PDF. Keep the coloured preview next to you while you paint.
Ideas for your paint by number
A gift from your own photo
Turn a pet, a wedding photo or a holiday view into a pattern someone can paint and keep.
A rainy day project for kids
Use 8 colours and Simple for big areas that small hands can fill with a thick brush or felt pens.
Practise colour mixing
The key lists each colour as a hex code, so you can mix acrylics to match it before you start.
A class or group activity
Print one pattern per person, or split a large print into sections so a group paints one picture together.
Tips for a better pattern
Pick the right photo
A sharp subject that fills the frame with a plain background turns into fewer, cleaner areas than a busy scene.
Start with fewer colours
12 to 16 colours suit most photos. Go up to 24 or 30 for portraits, where skin tones need more steps.
Print on thick paper
For acrylics, print on heavy paper or card, or trace the outline onto canvas with a light pencil.
Paint dark to light
Many painters fill the darkest numbers first and finish with the lightest, so mistakes are easier to cover.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn a photo into a paint by number?
Upload the photo, choose the number of colours and the detail level, then download or print the numbered outline and its colour key. Each area on the outline has the number of the colour that goes there.
How many colours should I use?
12 to 16 colours work well for most photos. Use 8 for a quick, simple pattern or for children, and 24 to 30 for portraits and detailed scenes.
What does the detail setting do?
It sets the smallest area that gets its own number. Simple merges small specks into bigger areas so the pattern is easier to paint. Detailed keeps more small shapes, so it looks closer to the photo but takes longer.
Can I print it as a PDF?
Yes. Press Print or save as PDF and choose Save as PDF in your browser's print window. You can also download the pattern as a high-resolution PNG.
How do I match the paint colours?
The colour key shows each number with its colour swatch, its hex code and how much of the picture it covers. Mix your paints to match the swatches, or pick the closest colours from your set.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The pattern is made in your browser on your own device. Your photo is never uploaded to our servers.
Is it free?
Yes. It is free to use, with no watermark and no limit on how many patterns you make.