Free · Pixel art & Minecraft · up to 256 pixels

Pixel Circle Generator

A pixel circle is a circle drawn on a square grid, where each pixel or block is either on or off. Pick a diameter and this pixel circle maker draws the cleanest circle for that size, with a count for every row. Download it as a transparent 1:1 PNG or an SVG for pixel art, or follow it block by block in Minecraft.

Tap a block to mark it placedRow and column numbers match the build listCenter linesThicker grid every 5 blocks

Row-by-row build list

RowBlocksColumns

Center blocks

Odd or even size? Odd sizes have a single center block, so a 1-block door or path lines up cleanly. Even sizes have a 2×2 center.

9 blocks · 1 center
10 blocks · 2×2 center

Pixel circle sizes

Pixel counts for a 1-pixel outline and a filled disc. Pick a row to open it in the generator.

DiameterOutlineFilledGood for
82052Icons, UI bullets
92469Minecraft wells and pillars
1232112Small sprites
1540177Minecraft towers
1644208Sprites, favicons
2156349Minecraft arenas and domes
2464448Character portraits
3288812Game items, avatars
481321,804Planets, big sprites
641803,228Minecraft map art, backgrounds

Pixel circle chart

Common pixel art sizes. Pick one to open it in the generator.

8 × 89 × 912 × 1216 × 1621 × 2124 × 2432 × 3248 × 48

How the generator draws a pixel circle

A pixel is filled when its center falls inside the true circle. That one rule gives the smoothest circle for every size, with the same shape in all four quarters and no stray pixels.

  • Outline is a clean 1-pixel line: neighboring pixels touch at the corners and there are no doubled "L" steps, which is what pixel artists want.
  • Thicker lines keep the outer edge and grow inward, up to 5 pixels.
  • Filled gives a solid disc, useful for planets, buttons and bead patterns.

Classic algorithms such as the midpoint (Bresenham) circle trace the edge instead and can leave flat spots or uneven steps, especially at even sizes. Here every size is drawn from the same rule, so 16 and 17 look as round as the grid allows.

What you can make with it

  1. Pixel art and game spritesDownload the PNG 1:1, where one pixel is one cell on a transparent background, and paste it into Aseprite, Piskel, Photoshop or your game engine. Scale it up with nearest-neighbor so the edges stay sharp.
  2. Minecraft buildsEvery pixel is one block. Follow the numbered grid and the build list, tap blocks as you place them, and use Build mode on a phone or tablet beside your screen. The WorldEdit command and the .litematic file are here too.
  3. Beads, cross-stitch and knittingPerler and Hama beads, cross-stitch and colorwork charts all use the same grid. The build list tells you how many beads or stitches go in each row.
  4. Cutting machines and printThe SVG scales to any size without blurring, so it works for Cricut and laser cutting, vinyl, stickers and print.

Building in Minecraft? The Minecraft circle generator adds block types, and the sphere and dome generators work layer by layer. For a printable sheet of sizes, see the circle chart.

How to draw a pixel circle by hand

  1. Pick the sizeChoose an odd diameter for a single center pixel, or an even one for a 2×2 center that lines up with an even canvas such as 16 or 32.
  2. Draw the four longest runsCopy the top and bottom rows and the left and right columns from the build list. They set the width and anchor the curve.
  3. Step around one quarterWork from the top run towards the side, copying each row. The steps get shorter as the curve turns, then longer again: 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3 is a good pattern; 3, 1, 2 is not.
  4. Mirror itFlip the finished quarter horizontally and vertically to complete the circle, then check it against the generator.

Tips for clean pixel circles

  1. Keep the steps evenEach run should be the same length or shorter than the one before as the curve turns. A run that jumps back up looks like a dent.
  2. Avoid doubled cornersTwo pixels side by side at a step (an "L") make the line look thicker there. The outline here never has them.
  3. Match the canvasAn even circle centers cleanly on an even canvas (16, 32, 64); an odd circle on an odd one.
  4. Scale without smoothingResize pixel art in whole steps (2×, 4×) with nearest-neighbor. Smooth scaling blurs every edge.

FAQ

What is a pixel circle?

A circle drawn on a grid of square pixels or blocks, where each cell is either filled or empty. Because cells are square, the edge is a staircase of short runs, and the generator picks the runs that look roundest.

How many pixels are in a 16-pixel circle?

A 16-pixel circle outline uses 44 pixels, and a filled 16-pixel disc uses 208. The table above lists other common sizes.

Should I use an odd or even size?

Odd sizes have a single center pixel, even sizes a 2×2 center. Pick even to fit an even canvas like 16×16 or 32×32, and odd for Minecraft builds where a 1-block door or path should sit in the middle.

How do I get a transparent PNG?

Press PNG 1:1. It saves the circle at one pixel per cell on a transparent background, ready for any pixel art editor. Grid PNG saves the numbered blueprint instead.

What can I do with the SVG?

Open it in Illustrator, Inkscape, Figma or Cricut Design Space. It is made of squares, so it stays sharp at any size and cuts cleanly.

Can I use it for Minecraft?

Yes. One pixel is one block, so the grid and build list work the same way, and the WorldEdit command and .litematic export are included. The Minecraft circle generator also lets you pick block types.

Can I make a pixel ellipse?

Yes, use the oval generator and set a different width and height. It follows the same rule.

Is this pixel circle maker free?

Yes. It runs in your browser with no account and no download. All exports are free.