Free Grid Maker for Drawing

Create professional drawing grids in seconds with our free grid maker online. Upload your reference image to this image grid generator, customize grid size in centimeters or inches, and export as high-quality PNG or PDF files. No signup required, no downloads needed—just upload and create with our drawing grid maker.

Used by over 170,000 artists worldwide for accurate proportional drawing and grid method transfers.

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JPG, PNG, WebP • Max 20MB • Min 300×300px

Key Features of This Image Grid Generator

Professional grid maker online for artists and illustrators

Align Grids to Eyes & Landmarks

Don't let grid lines obscure important details. Use our unique drag mode to shift the grid so lines fall between the eyes, not directly over them.

This precision control allows you to align your drawing grid perfectly with facial features, making it easier to capture the likeness in portraits.

Reference Coordinates for Tutorials

Never get lost in your drawing again. Professional coordinate labels (A-B-C, 1-2-3) act like a map for your canvas.

Perfect for students and teachers—communicate exactly which cell to focus on ("Look at cell B-4"). Essential for following grid method tutorials accurately.

Printable Templates for Transfer

Need a physical copy? Export your gridded reference as a PDF perfectly sized for A4 or Letter paper.

Our image grid generator ensures your printed reference matches your drawing surface dimensions exactly, eliminating the math of scaling up or down.

How to Use This Image Grid Maker

Create professional grids in 5 simple steps

1

Upload Your Image

Drag and drop your reference photo (JPG, PNG, WebP) directly into the tool. We handle high-resolution images up to 20MB with ease.

2

Set Real-World Size

Match your canvas. Choose cm or inches and set the grid size to match your physical drawing paper. This ensures perfect 1:1 transfers without math.

3

Style & Position

Make lines visible. Adjust color, thickness, and opacity. Use Drag Mode to align grid lines perfectly between eyes or key features.

4

Refine & Focus

Need help seeing shapes? Turn on Edge Detection to see contours. Use Focus Mode to highlight one cell at a time.

5

Export PNG or PDF

Get a print-ready file. Export as PDF for physical printing or PNG for digital reference. Your custom grid settings are preserved perfectly.

Use Cases for This Grid Maker Tool

How artists and students use this grid maker

Beginner Artists

Learn accurate proportions with this grid maker online. Break complex reference photos into simple squares using this grid drawing tool for your first drawings.

Build confidence with the drawing grid maker that artists have used for centuries. Helps beginners understand shapes and proportions without formal training or guessing.

Students & Educators

Learn fundamental drawing skills and proportions with this grid maker online. Use coordinate labels to reference specific cells during lessons.

Students generate custom grids for assignments at their own pace using this image grid generator. Works on tablets and smartphones—no installation required.

Portrait Artists

Achieve accurate facial proportions with this grid maker for drawing. Position the grid over key landmarks—eyes, nose, mouth—using drag mode in this image grid generator.

Upload reference photos and apply a customized grid for drawing that matches your canvas size. Prevents proportional errors early in the process.

Artists & Illustrators

Transfer compositions from reference photos to canvas using this grid drawing tool. Works for portraits, landscapes, and architectural drawings.

Position the drawing grid maker precisely with drag mode. Export as PDF or PNG for your workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about using this grid maker tool

Why use a grid maker online instead of drawing grids by hand?

What happens to the grid when I'm done drawing?

What is the best grid size for a portrait drawing?

How do I remove the grid lines from my final drawing?

Learning Resources & Grid Drawing Tips

Master the grid method with these proven techniques and strategies

Grid Drawing Techniques

The grid method breaks complex images into manageable squares for accurate proportions using this drawing grid maker. Start with a simple 3×3 grid for drawing and work one cell at a time—this makes even complex portraits achievable for artists at any skill level.

Learn the Grid Drawing Technique →

Tips for Beginners

Start with high-contrast black and white photos to make shapes easier to identify in each grid square. Use a ruler to match your physical grid proportions exactly, and focus on accuracy over speed—mistakes in early cells compound quickly.

Advanced Methods

Professional artists use this image grid generator's drag and position features to align grids precisely with facial features and compositional elements. Experiment with different grid sizes between reference and canvas to master proportional scaling at any size.