Drawing Grid Maker
Put a grid on any reference photo to copy it by the grid method. Set the paper size, number of squares, line colour, labels and diagonals, then download or print it with a matching blank grid. It runs in your browser. Free to use.
You get the photo with a grid to copy from, and a matching blank grid to print. Your photo is processed in your browser and is never uploaded.
How to use the grid method to draw
- 1
Upload a reference photo
Upload a JPG, PNG or WEBP of what you want to draw or paint: a portrait, a pet, a landscape or a still life.
- 2
Set up the grid
Choose your paper or canvas size and how many squares go across. The tool shows how big each square will be in cm and inches, so you can draw the same grid on your paper.
- 3
Download or print
Download or print the photo with the grid, and print the matching blank grid if you want to trace it onto your paper. Then copy the picture one square at a time.
What artists use a drawing grid for
Portraits and faces
A grid with diagonals helps you place the eyes, nose and mouth in the right spot, which is where most portraits go wrong.
Scaling up to a big canvas
Pick the canvas size, and each square on the photo maps to one bigger square on the canvas or wall, so a small photo can become a large painting or mural.
Learning to draw
Copying one square at a time trains you to see shapes and angles instead of what you think a thing looks like.
Art class handouts
Print the gridded photo and the blank grid for each student so the whole class works on the same exercise.
Tips for drawing with a grid
Fewer squares for simple subjects
4 to 6 squares across suit a simple shape. Use 8 to 12 for portraits and detailed scenes, where small mistakes show more.
Draw your grid lightly
Use a hard pencil (2H or H) and a ruler on your paper, so the lines are easy to erase when the drawing is done.
Match the paper shape
Pick the same paper size you draw on. The photo is cropped to that shape, so both grids have the same number of squares.
Use labels to keep your place
Write the same letters and numbers on your paper. When you look back at the photo you will always know which square you were on.
Frequently asked questions
What is the grid method for drawing?
You draw a grid over a reference photo and the same number of squares on your paper. Then you copy what is in each square of the photo into the matching square on the paper. It breaks a hard picture into small, easy parts and keeps the proportions right.
How many squares should my grid have?
It depends on the detail and the paper size. 4 to 6 squares across work for simple subjects and small paper. 8 to 12 are common for portraits. Smaller squares give more accuracy but take longer to draw.
How big should the squares be on my paper?
Choose your paper size and the tool shows the size of each square in cm and inches, for example 3 cm squares with 7 squares across A4. Draw squares of that size on your paper.
Can I use it for a canvas or wall?
Yes. Pick the shape closest to your canvas, or Photo shape, then measure your canvas and divide it into the same number of squares across and down.
What are the diagonal lines for?
Diagonals split each square into four triangles. They give you more reference points inside a square, which helps with curves and with faces.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The grid is drawn in your browser on your own device. Your photo is never uploaded to our servers.
Is it free?
Yes. It is free to use, with no watermark and no limit on how many grids you make.