img2txt

Set output column count to a specific value

$ img2txt [[-W|--width]] [10] [path/to/image]

$ img2txt [[-H|--height]] [5] [path/to/image]

$ img2txt [[-x|--font-width]] [12] [path/to/image]

$ img2txt [[-y|--font-height]] [14] [path/to/image]

$ img2txt [[-b|--brightness]] [2] [path/to/image]

img2txt [options] [image-files]

-C, --charset charset
    Select output charset (e.g., ascii, block, katakana)

-d, --dither[=algorithm]
    Enable dithering (algorithms: none, xterm, full, floyd, floydsteinh, jarvis)

-f, --foreground
    Dither foreground colors only

-b, --background
    Dither background colors only

-x, --width chars
    Set output width in characters

-y, --height lines
    Set output height in lines

-W, --width-pixels pixels
    Scale input width to pixels

-H, --height-pixels pixels
    Scale input height to pixels

-a, --ansi
    Force ANSI output

-k, --colour-mode mode
    Color mode (0=mono, 1=ansi, 2=true)

-r, --attributes
    Use bold/reverse attributes

-g, --gamma value
    Set gamma correction (0.1-10.0)

-p, --packlines
    Pack empty lines

-n, --no-dither
    Disable dithering

-c, --clear
    Clear screen before output

-h, --help
    Show help

-v, --version
    Show version

img2txt is a command-line tool from the libcaca library that converts raster images into colored ASCII art or text representations. It analyzes image pixels and maps them to characters based on brightness, using dithering algorithms for smooth gradients. Supports output charsets like ASCII, block graphics, or international sets. Ideal for text terminals, logs, or artistic displays.

Key features include adjustable dimensions, ANSI color support, gamma correction, and handling multiple formats (PNG, JPEG, etc.) via underlying libs like libpng/imagemagick. Output can be foreground-only, background-dithered, or full-color. Processes files or stdin, making it script-friendly for batch conversion or live previews.

Requires fixed-width monospace font with block glyphs for best results. Terminal must support ANSI colors. Large images may produce excessive output; quality varies by image complexity.

img2txt image.png
img2txt -x 80 -d floyd image.jpg
cat image.png | img2txt -C block -a

Developed as part of libcaca by Sam Hocevar; first released in 2002-2003. Evolved for cross-platform text graphics, integrated into Debian/Ubuntu repos since early 2000s.

caca(1), jp2a(1), aview(1)