Grain Filter

Film grain refers to the fine, textured speckles found in analog film, created by metallic silver or dye clouds. It gives photos a natural film texture and a timeless, grainy effect. This real film look is simulated with VSCO’s grain filter.

VSCO offers a film grain editor that lets you add grain to photos on iPhone, Android, or with our online photo editor — perfect for achieving a grainy film look with control over color, grain size, and grain strength.

You can add film grain overlays to videos with VSCO’s texture film effects, creating a vintage grainy film effect on videos. In the VSCO video editor, click on FX and choose between 5 different levels of grain texture to apply the effect to your video.

Yes, VSCO’s grain editor lets you control the strength of your grain texture so you can go from subtle film grain to a bold, gritty effect.

Yes, VSCO offers a size control for film grain so you can fine-tune the look — from smooth, fine grain to rougher, larger grain overlays.

VSCO’s grain filter includes a color slider optimized for color images, helping simulate the look of real color film grain without shifting the overall tone of your images.

Film grain is organic and adds character to photos, while digital noise is more random and often unwanted. VSCO’s grain effect mimics film textures — many creators reduce noise but add grain for a gritty, artistic effect.

The best amount of film grain depends on your desired look — VSCO’s grain editor lets you dial in subtle texture at lower strength levels (around +3.0 or lower), create a strong grain effect with medium settings (+3.0–6.0), or go bold and artistic with higher values (+6.0 and up), all with adjustable strength, size, and color controls.

Not really — grain adds texture without lowering resolution. In fact, it can improve your photo’s look by softening the look of blurry images and overly sharp details, while creating a more cinematic, film-like feel.

VSCO’s grainy filter works great for both. Black and white photos gain a classic, gritty documentary look, while color photos get a subtle, nostalgic grain texture. Try combining a grain overlay with a black and white filter or color grading photo filter.