Grid Maker

Grid Maker for Artists

Add customizable grids to photos with cell labels, cross lines, and edge detection. Perfect for improving proportions and scaling artwork.

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Grid Settings

Features

Grid Labels (A1, B2, C3...)

One of the few tools offering cell labels. Makes matching squares incredibly easy when transferring your drawing. Adjustable label size for perfect visibility on any image.

Cross Lines

Diagonal lines through each grid cell, creating an X pattern. Helps identify angles, slopes, and diagonal relationships. Perfect for drawing faces, tilted objects, and complex perspectives.

Edge Detection

Converts your reference into a simplified outline drawing showing only edges and contours. Adjust thresholds and blur for perfect results. Great for contour drawing and understanding structure.

Paper Format Guide

Select your paper size to see exact measurements in millimeters for recreating the grid. Get precise line spacing for A2, A3, A4, A5, Letter, Legal, or custom sizes. Draw grids accurately with a ruler.

Fully Customizable

Customize rows, columns, line color, thickness, and opacity. Add cross lines for diagonal guides and grid labels to track progress. All changes update instantly.

Grayscale & Filters

Convert images to black and white to focus on values without color distraction. Combine with edge detection for outline references perfect for contour drawing.

How It Works

Step 1: Upload Your Image

Choose an image from your device, drag and drop it onto the page, or paste it from your clipboard. Supports JPG, PNG, WEBP, GIF, and most image formats. Your image stays private—all processing happens in your browser.

Step 2: Adjust the Grid

Customize rows and columns to create the perfect grid size. Start with 8x8 or 10x10 for portraits. Use 20-30 for detailed work, or 4-6 for quick sketches.

Step 3: Customize Appearance

Choose your line color, thickness, and opacity. Enable grid labels (A1, B2, etc.) to track your progress. Add cross lines for diagonal guides. Apply grayscale or edge detection if needed.

Step 4: Get Paper Measurements

Select your paper size (A4, A3, Letter, etc.) to see exact measurements in millimeters. The tool calculates precise spacing between lines so you can recreate the grid with a ruler on your canvas.

Step 5: Download & Draw

Download your gridded reference image at full resolution with no watermarks. Print it or view it on screen while you work. Draw the same grid on your canvas and transfer square by square for perfect proportions.

FAQ

What is Grid Maker?

Free online tool for adding grids to reference photos. Includes grid labels (A1, B2), cross lines, and edge detection. Perfect for proportions and scaling artwork.

How to use the Grid Method for drawing?

Upload your photo, adjust the grid size, customize the appearance, and download. Draw the same grid on your canvas and transfer square by square for perfect proportions.

How do I adjust the grid?

Customize rows, columns, line color, thickness, and opacity. Add cross lines for diagonal guides and grid labels to track progress. All changes update instantly.

What are cross lines and how do they help?

Diagonal lines through each grid cell, creating an X pattern. Helps identify angles, slopes, and diagonal relationships. Perfect for drawing faces, tilted objects, and complex perspectives.

What is the edge detection feature?

Converts your reference into a simplified outline drawing showing only edges and contours. Adjust thresholds and blur for perfect results. Great for contour drawing and understanding structure.

What image formats are supported?

Upload JPG, PNG, WEBP, GIF, and most formats. Drag, drop, or paste from clipboard. Downloads as high-quality JPEG at full resolution. Works entirely in your browser for privacy.

How does the paper format guide work?

Select your paper size to see exact measurements in millimeters for recreating the grid. Get precise line spacing for A2, A3, A4, A5, Letter, Legal, or custom sizes. Draw grids accurately with a ruler.

Is this tool free to use?

Yes! Completely free with no watermarks, signup, or fees. All processing happens in your browser—your images stay private. Unlimited grids, all features, no ads.

Why use grids for drawing?

Time-tested technique used by Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer. Breaks complex images into manageable sections for accurate proportions. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike.

Can I use this for scaling artwork?

Perfect for scaling from small sketches to large formats. Create a grid on your reference, then draw a larger proportional grid on your canvas. Maintain accurate proportions at any size.

Does it work on mobile devices?

Yes! Works on iPhone, Android, tablets, and all mobile devices. Touch-friendly controls with all features. Pinch to zoom for detailed viewing.

What's the best grid size for portraits?

Start with 8x8 or 10x10 for portraits. Use 20-30 for detailed work, or 4-6 for quick sketches. Enable cross lines for facial features and angles.

How does a photo grid overlay improve accuracy?

Breaks images into manageable sections for easier observation. Focus on one square at a time. Grid labels and cross lines help match squares precisely for accurate proportions.

Grid drawing technique for beginners

Start with an 8x8 or 10x10 grid. Draw the same grid on your canvas using the paper format guide. Work square by square, matching grid labels. Trains your eye and builds confidence.

Can I use this as an art grid generator for digital work?

Perfect for digital artists! Create grids with labels and cross lines, download as high-res JPEG. Use in Procreate, Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or any software.

How to print gridded reference images

Select paper format to see exact measurements in millimeters. Recreate the grid with a ruler using precise spacing. Download at full resolution for professional printing.

What makes this different from other grid makers?

Unique features: grid labels (A1, B2), cross lines, edge detection, paper format guides. Fully customizable. Works in browser for privacy. Free with no watermarks.

Using grid reference drawing for complex compositions

Perfect for architecture, group portraits, and intricate arrangements. Maintains perspective and aligns elements accurately. Use more squares for detail, fewer for backgrounds.

How to convert reference photos to grayscale

Enable "Grayscale/Desaturate" to convert to black and white. Focus on values without color distraction. Combine with edge detection for outline references.

How to add a grid to a photo online for free

Upload, drag, drop, or paste your image. Adjust rows and columns. Enable grid labels, cross lines, and edge detection. Download at full resolution—no watermarks, completely free.

Add grid to image with cell labels and coordinates

One of the few tools with cell labels (A1, B2, C3). Makes matching squares incredibly easy. Adjustable label size for perfect visibility. Valuable for teachers and complex work.

Printable grid maker with exact measurements

Get exact measurements for standard or custom paper sizes. Tool calculates precise spacing between lines. Use measurements with a ruler for accurate grids.

Grid template generator for art students and teachers

Grid labels make instruction easier—reference specific cells. Paper format guide for accurate ruler work. Cross lines and edge detection for teaching. Works on all classroom devices.