100% Free Online Tool

Grid Maker
for Drawing

Add a custom grid to any photo and create an easy drawing reference for sketching, painting, or the grid method. Upload an image, adjust the rows and columns, then download a print-ready grid.

Free online toolNo signupPNG / PDF export

Your images are private and never leave your device

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or drag and drop it here · paste with Ctrl + V

No image? Try one of these:

How to use the grid maker for drawing

This free online grid maker for drawing helps artists turn a photo into a proportional reference for the grid method. Add rows and columns, choose a visible line style, label each square, and download a clean image you can print or keep beside your sketchbook.

  1. Upload your reference photoClick the upload button to choose any image from your computer or phone. Your image stays completely private.
  2. Customize your gridUse the controls to adjust rows and columns for portraits, landscapes, anime references, tattoo designs, or any photo you want to redraw.
  3. Adjust the line visibilityIf your photo is dark, change the line color to white or green. You can also increase the line thickness and opacity so the grid is easy to see.
  4. Download and drawClick download to save your gridded reference. Draw a matching grid lightly on paper or canvas, then copy the image square by square.

Tired of drawing grids by hand?

Drawing a physical grid with a pencil and ruler is tedious, and erasing the lines later can ruin your paper. Instead of drawing a physical grid, use the Drawello appto digitally project your reference photo directly onto your paper using your phone's AR camera.

Learn about AR drawing vs Grids

Frequently Asked Questions

The grid method is a classic technique used by artists to maintain perfect proportions when copying or scaling a reference photo. By dividing your image into smaller squares, you can focus on drawing exactly what you see in one square at a time, resulting in a highly accurate final sketch.

Yes! Drawello's Grid Maker is 100% free. There are no subscriptions, no paywalls, and we do not add any watermarks to your downloaded images.

No. This tool operates entirely in your web browser. Your images are never uploaded to our servers, ensuring complete privacy and immediate processing speeds.

It depends on the complexity of your reference. Beginners drawing detailed portraits often use a dense grid (e.g., 10-15 columns). For simpler outlines, 4 to 8 columns are usually enough. The tool automatically calculates the rows so the squares stay perfectly proportioned.

Yes! Drawing physical grids on your paper can leave permanent pencil grooves and takes a lot of time. Instead, you can download the free Drawello AR app on your iPhone. It uses your camera to digitally project your reference image onto your paper, allowing you to trace the proportions instantly without drawing a single grid line.