waifu2x

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What waifu2x is

waifu2x is an open-source image super-resolution tool for anime-style artwork that also supports photos. Its web interface accepts PNG and JPG files, URLs, or drag-and-drop images, then offers artwork, artwork/scans, and photo processing styles. Users can select five noise-reduction levels from None to Highest and choose None, 1.6x, or 2x upscaling. The main website lists a 5 MB file limit, a 3000×3000 pixel limit for noise reduction, and a 1500×1500 pixel limit for upscaling. PNG and WebP are available as outputs. A separate unlimited:waifu2x page provides an experimental in-browser version with selectable backend, model, denoising, tiling, TTA, and alpha-channel settings; it lists WebGPU support but no 4x upscaling. The project also documents command-line, self-hosted, and batch conversion use, with Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu installation guidance.

Who it suits

waifu2x suits people enlarging anime artwork, scans, or photos through a free web tool or local open-source software. Developers and technical users can use its command-line, self-hosted, and API-related resources.

What it does well

Free and open source under an MIT license
Five selectable noise-reduction levels
Supports batch conversion through local tools
Web, Windows, macOS, Linux availability
PNG and WebP output options

What to know first

Main web uploads are limited to 5 MB
Main-site upscaling limit is 1500×1500 pixels
Browser version does not support 4x upscaling
Noise reduction can worsen images without noise

Limits

The main website accepts files up to 5 MB, with noise reduction up to 3000×3000 pixels and upscaling up to 1500×1500 pixels. The experimental browser version does not support 4x upscaling.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
waifu2x website	5MB image size · noise reduction up to 3000×3000px · upscaling up to 1500×1500px	Free
unlimited:waifu2x	Experimental in-browser version · no 4x upscaling	Free

As waifu2x.net lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the waifu2x website
Choose artwork, artwork/scans, or photo processing
Add an image by drag and drop, URL, or file selection
Select noise reduction and an available upscaling option
Choose PNG or WebP output
Install the desktop project or follow command-line and self-hosted instructions if needed

Verdict

waifu2x offers free web and local workflows for enlarging artwork and photos, with adjustable denoising and documented batch tools. Its web limits and the browser version’s lack of 4x scaling matter when processing larger images.

Questions

Does waifu2x cost anything?

The website and unlimited:waifu2x plan are free. The project is open source under an MIT license.

Which image formats are supported?

The web tool accepts PNG and JPG inputs and offers PNG and WebP outputs.

Can waifu2x process batches?

Yes. The project documentation covers command-line and self-hosted web-app use, including batch conversion.

What upscaling options are available?

The main site offers None, 1.6x, and 2x. It links to 4x upscaling, while the experimental browser version does not support 4x.

Which operating systems can run it?

waifu2x is available on Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web. Repository links include a Windows installer and installation instructions for Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu.

Is an account required?

The privacy policy says the site can be used for free without logging in.

Facts from waifu2x's own pages

Account: The privacy policy says the site can be used for free without logging in; Patreon login uses a Patreon user ID and records API call counts for that ID. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Analytics and advertising: The site says it uses Google Analytics and Google Adsense, and that third-party publishers may use cookies for personalized advertising. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Batch processing: Yes · waifu2x.net, 20 Sept 2026
Browser limit: The in-browser page indicates that 4x upscaling is not supported there. · unlimited.waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Browser version: unlimited:waifu2x is described as an experimental in-browser version with selectable backend, model, denoising, tiling, TTA, and alpha-channel options. · unlimited.waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Desktop app: Yes · waifu2x.net, 20 Sept 2026
Desktop availability: The project repository links a Windows installer and installation instructions for Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Developer use: The project repository says its dependencies include Python 3.10 or later and PyTorch, and links a waifu2x Python API via torch.hub.load. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Formats: The main site offers PNG and WebP output formats. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Hardware: The GitHub README lists an NVIDIA GPU, Torch7, and NVIDIA CUDA among the project dependencies. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Image processing: The web tool offers artwork, artwork/scans, and photo styles, with selectable noise reduction and upscaling options. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
In-browser version: The separate unlimited:waifu2x site is described as an experimental in-browser version and lists WebGPU support. · unlimited.waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Input formats: PNG, JPG · waifu2x.net, 20 Sept 2026
Input limits: The main site lists a 5 MB file-size limit, 3000×3000 px for noise reduction, and 1500×1500 px for upscaling. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Input methods: Images can be selected by drag and drop, entered as a URL, or chosen as a file. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Limit on noise reduction: The website advises using noise reduction only when the image actually has noise because it may otherwise cause the opposite effect. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Local use: The project's GitHub README documents command-line and self-hosted web-app use, including batch conversion. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Maintainer identity: The main site links to the nunif GitHub account; the opened pages do not state a headquarters or founding date. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Maximum scale: 4x · waifu2x.net, 20 Sept 2026
Noise guidance: The site cautions that noise reduction can have the opposite effect if the image does not actually contain noise. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Noise reduction: The web page offers five noise-reduction settings: None, Low, Medium, High, and Highest. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Open source: The original waifu2x repository lists an MIT license and documents command-line tools for noise reduction, 2x upscaling, and batch conversion. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Output formats: The web tool offers PNG and WebP output formats. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026
Privacy: The site says it stores images and URLs only for caching, and that the cache expires and is automatically deleted after 30 minutes. · waifu2x.net, 12 Oct 2026

Where waifu2x stands on Freedom251

Image Upscaling Software#11 of 99