Image Polar Coordinates - Online Swirl & Distort

Polar coordinate transformation remaps an image from Cartesian (x, y) coordinates to polar (radius, angle) coordinates — or vice versa. In "Cartesian to Polar" mode, horizontal position becomes angle and vertical position becomes distance from center, creating a swirling vortex effect. In "Polar to Cartesian" mode, a circular polar pattern is unwrapped back into a rectangular image. This technique is widely used in creative photography, astrophotography, and digital art to produce mesmerizing distortion effects.

Select the "To Polar" mode (Cartesian → Polar), upload your photo, and the tool instantly converts it. The Rotation slider lets you twist the swirl clockwise or counterclockwise (up to ±180°). The Scale slider adjusts how much of the image is mapped into the polar space — values above 100% zoom out, while values below 100% zoom in on the center. For dramatic results, try photos with strong horizontal lines, landscapes, or architectural shots.

"To Polar" (Cartesian → Polar) takes a regular rectangular image and wraps it into a circular swirl. The top of your image becomes the center of the swirl, and the bottom becomes the outer edge. "From Polar" (Polar → Cartesian) does the reverse — it takes a circular polar image and unwraps it back into a flat rectangular form. This is useful for "unwinding" a polar-distorted image or for creative experimentation. Try both modes on the same image to see the dramatic difference.

No. All image processing happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript and the HTML5 Canvas API. Your image never leaves your device — it is not uploaded to any server. This means your photos remain completely private and secure, and the tool works even when you're offline after the page has loaded.

The tool supports PNG, JPEG, WebP, and GIF images. For optimal performance, images are processed at up to 800 pixels on the longest side, which provides an excellent balance between quality and speed — especially when adjusting sliders in real time. Very large images (e.g., 4000+ pixels) are automatically downscaled for preview. The download result matches the processed resolution.

This tool unlocks a variety of creative effects: Swirl & Vortex — bend your image into a hypnotic spiral; Tiny Planet — make landscape photos look like miniature worlds; Radial Warp — create sci-fi portal effects; Mandala-like Patterns — symmetrical designs from ordinary textures; Data Visualization — convert radar charts or polar data into rectangular form for analysis. Photographers, graphic designers, and digital artists use polar transformations to add unique, eye-catching distortions to their work.

Absolutely! The tool is fully responsive and works on smartphones and tablets. You can upload photos directly from your device's photo library, adjust the swirl parameters with touch-friendly sliders, and download the transformed result — all on mobile. The interface automatically adapts to smaller screens for a smooth experience.