Dithered Background Generator

Gradients Studio's dithered background generator lays an ordered dither pattern over a smooth gradient at 85% opacity, so the texture shows but a headline on top still reads, and exports it as a JPG for a website hero, a slide or a launch post. The first download is free with no account.

Make a dithered background Free wallpapers

First download free, no account · 4K on Pro, from $9 · No subscription

Backgrounds to put type on

Each card is the real render at these settings, and opens in the studio with them.

Effects: Dither
Cell size: 24px
Density: 160%
Opacity: 85%
Grain: 15%

The smooth originals are free 4K wallpapers: Ember, Deep Sea, Aurora, Silk Rose, Ice Fiber, Midnight, Storm and Canopy.

Why dither behind a headline

Dithered heroes are common on AI, infrastructure and developer tool sites: they say "made with care" without a stock photo. The catch is legibility. A full-strength dither is busy right where your headline sits, so this page starts with the pattern laid over the smooth gradient instead of replacing it.

The settings on this page

Effects Dither, cell size 24 px, Density 160%, Opacity 85% and Grain 15%. Opacity is the key dial: at 85% the smooth gradient shows through the marks, so edges soften and flat areas stay calm. Push it to 100% for the full pattern, or down to 50% for a hint of texture.

A background as an image, not a shader

Live dither shaders cost GPU time on every visitor's laptop and phone. A JPG costs one download and looks the same everywhere, including in email, Figma, Keynote and an OG image. Export at 16:9 or 21:9 for a hero, 1.91:1 for a link preview and 4:5 for a LinkedIn post.

Keeping text readable

Start from a dark ground with one or two bright accents, like Midnight or Deep Sea, and put the brightest part of the gradient away from your headline by shuffling the seed. White text on the dark areas usually reads well. If the marks still compete with the type, lower Density before you lower the cell size.

Sized for where it goes

Exact sizes and safe zones for the places a background ends up, each with examples at that shape.

More generators

The same studio, set to another look.

Questions

What is a dithered background?

A background image whose gradient is drawn with an ordered pattern of small marks instead of smooth tones. Here the pattern is laid over the smooth gradient at partial opacity, so it reads as texture and leaves room for text.

Can I make it more or less visible?

Yes. Opacity sets how much of the pattern covers the smooth gradient, Density sets how far the marks reach into each fade, and cell size sets how big they are. Grain adds film texture on top of all three.

Can I get CSS or an animated version?

Not as CSS or SVG. The studio exports images, and Animate turns a frame into a looping MP4 video. An image is also what you need for decks, social posts and OG images, where code does not run.

Is the dithered background generator free?

Your first download is free with no account and keeps the dither finish, as an HD JPG (1920 × 1080 for 16:9). 4K with the finish is part of Pro, $39 for 12 months, or a $9 Week Pass. Neither renews.

Make one now

The studio opens set to this look. Shuffle until something feels right, then export.

Make a dithered background