Overview
Introduction
This tool randomly scrambles a PNG's pixel positions, computed entirely client-side, using a seeded pseudo-random number generator for reproducible results.
It's useful for creating noise-like glitch effects or randomized textures from a source image.
What Is PNG Pixels Randomizer?
A pixel-shuffling effect generator that performs a chosen number of random pixel-pair swaps across the whole image, where the number of swaps is derived from an intensity percentage of the total pixel count.
Because it's seeded, the exact same seed and intensity always produce the exact same scrambled result.
How PNG Pixels Randomizer Works
The tool computes how many swaps to perform based on intensity (0-100%) and the image's total pixel count, then repeatedly picks two random pixel positions using a mulberry32 pseudo-random generator seeded by the given number, swapping their full RGBA values.
Because every swap just exchanges existing pixels, the output always contains the exact same multiset of colors as the input, just rearranged.
When To Use PNG Pixels Randomizer
Use it to create a randomized, noise-like glitch effect from a source photo or graphic.
It's also handy for generating abstract textures or testing how recognizable an image remains at different scramble intensities.
Often used alongside PNG Pixels Sorter and PNG Revealer.
Features
Advantages
- Runs entirely client-side; your image never leaves the browser.
- Fully reproducible via the seed value, unlike a true-random shuffle.
- Intensity control lets you dial in anything from a subtle scramble to a full randomization.
Limitations
- At low intensity, a swap can occasionally pick the same position twice and effectively do nothing, so the actual number of visibly-changed pixels can be slightly less than the requested swap count implies.
- The shuffle is a global, image-wide operation; there's no way to confine it to a specific region within this tool.
Examples
Best Practices & Notes
Best Practices
- Note down the seed value if you want to reproduce or fine-tune a specific scramble result later.
- Start with a low intensity and increase gradually to find the amount of scrambling that looks right for your use case.
Developer Notes
The pure shuffle math lives in a lib function operating on a plain Uint8ClampedArray pixel buffer with no DOM dependency, using a local mulberry32 seeded PRNG (matching the pattern this site's noise and glitch tools already use) to pick swap positions deterministically.
PNG Pixels Randomizer Use Cases
- Creating a randomized glitch or noise effect from a photo
- Generating abstract textures for design projects
- Testing image recognizability at varying scramble intensities
Common Mistakes
- Expecting a different result each time with the same seed — the shuffle is fully deterministic given the same seed and intensity.
- Confusing this with pixel sorting, which produces ordered streaks rather than random noise.
Tips
- Try a low intensity (10-30%) for a subtle textured-noise look rather than full randomization.
- Combine with the pixel sorter tool for a layered glitch effect: sort first, then lightly randomize.