- 1Runs onLinux, Mac, Windows
- 2CostsFree plan
- 3Platformdesktop
- 4Custom tile libraryYes
- 5Tile reuse controlsYes
- 6Output formatsPNG

Overview
phomo is a free tool that creates photographic mosaics by arranging tile images to recreate a master image. It compares color distributions between tiles and regions of the master, then assigns tiles using a linear sum assignment algorithm. The project can be installed with pip as a Python package or run through its `phomo` command, which accepts a master image and a directory of tile images. Command-line options include cropping and resizing the master and tiles, black-and-white conversion, grid display, and control over how often tiles appear. Matching choices include greyscale, norm, and luv_approx distance metrics, color equalization, and color-distribution matching. A greedy assignment mode is described as improving performance while reducing accuracy. CUDA acceleration is available through an extra, requiring a CUDA-compatible GPU and toolkit. The package requires Python >=3.9 and <3.13, runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and lists PNG as its output format. It is published under the MIT License.
Who it is for
phomo suits people comfortable using a Python package or command-line tool to build image mosaics from their own tile library. It offers controls for image preparation and tile matching across Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What is good
- Free Python package and command-line utility.
- Offers multiple tile-matching metrics and color controls.
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Published under the MIT License.
What to know first
- Requires Python >=3.9 and <3.13.
- CUDA acceleration requires a compatible GPU and toolkit.
- Greedy assignment trades accuracy for performance.
Verdict
phomo exposes mosaic creation through a Python package and CLI, with several image and matching controls. CUDA acceleration has additional hardware and toolkit requirements, while greedy assignment sacrifices accuracy for performance.
phomo plans and pricing
All plansCompared on photo mosaic software
- Free plan
- Yesgithub.com
- Platform
- desktopgithub.com
- Custom tile library
- Yesgithub.com
- Tile reuse controls
- Yesgithub.com
- Output formats
- PNGgithub.com
Facts
- Purpose
- phomo creates photographic mosaics by arranging tile images to recreate a master image.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Tile matching
- It compares tile images with master image regions using color distribution differences, then assigns tiles to regions with a linear sum assignment algorithm.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Python package
- The project can be installed with pip and used as a Python package.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Command line
- The package provides a `phomo` command that accepts a master image and a directory of tile images.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- GPU support
- GPU acceleration is available through the CUDA extra and requires a CUDA-compatible GPU and CUDA toolkit.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Image controls
- CLI options include cropping and resizing the master and tile images, black-and-white conversion, grid display, and tile appearance count.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Matching options
- The CLI offers greyscale, norm, and luv_approx distance metrics, color equalization, and options to match color distributions.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Performance option
- A greedy tile assignment option is described as improving performance at the expense of accuracy.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- PyPI lists macOS, Windows, and Linux operating system classifiers for the package.pypi.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Python versions
- PyPI states that the package requires Python >=3.9 and <3.13.pypi.org · 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is published under the MIT License.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- PyPI identifies Loic Coyle as the author and lists one maintainer.pypi.org · 3 Oct 2026
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Sources
- github.com/loiccoyle/phomo· checked 3 Oct 2026
- pypi.org/project/phomo/· checked 3 Oct 2026