In this work, we propose a fuzzy inference system based contrast enhancement of gray level images. We propose a new method of generating the fuzzy if-then rules specific to a given image based on the local information available to be used by a fuzzy inference system. To this end, we only generate a partial histogram and not a complete histogram thus saving on computational costs. We also give a compartive study of our approach and some classical and existing fuzzy techniques, and show that the enhanced images from the proposed algorithm are comparable. © 2011. The authors-Published by Atlantis Press.