How to use
- 1Upload a photo and choose the canvas or paper size (e.g. 16×20 in, 30×40 cm, A4).
- 2Set the grid by rows × columns or by cell side in cm or inches.
- 3Turn on diagonal lines, cell numbers or black & white if you like, and set line colour and width.
- 4Download as PNG/JPG or print on A4/A3, then draw the same grid on your canvas.
Why the grid method works
Artists have used the grid method to enlarge drawings since the Renaissance. Splitting a complex image into small cells lets you focus on a few lines at a time, which cuts proportion and placement errors. As long as the photo and the canvas have the same number of cells, the image scales up correctly.
Matching your canvas size
Enter the canvas size and the photo is centre-cropped to the same aspect ratio, and the tool tells you how big each cell is on the canvas. A 16×20 in canvas with a 4 × 5 grid, for example, has 4 in cells. In cell-size mode you enter the side length directly; if the canvas does not divide evenly, the last row or column is narrower. If the photo and canvas orientation differ, the dimensions are swapped for you.
Diagonals and numbers
For detailed subjects such as portraits, diagonals split every cell into four triangles and give you extra reference points. Cell numbers help you keep your place as you look back and forth between photo and canvas, and black & white makes it easier to judge values. The image is processed on your device and never uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put a grid on a photo for drawing?
Upload the photo and choose rows and columns or a cell size; the grid is drawn over the image instantly and you can download it as PNG or JPG.
What grid size should I use for a 16×20 canvas?
Two-inch cells (an 8 × 10 grid) are a good start. For faces and fine detail, use 1-inch cells or switch on diagonals.
How do I draw the grid on my canvas?
Measure the cell size shown by the tool with a ruler and draw light lines with a pencil or watercolour pencil, so they disappear under the paint.
Can I keep the whole photo without cropping?
Yes. Turn off “Crop photo to canvas ratio” and the grid covers the full photo, with the height worked out from the photo’s proportions.
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