Tool
Grid Drawing Tool
Upload a reference photo, choose your paper size and get a proportional grid to transfer your drawing accurately.
A grid drawing tool lays evenly spaced squares over your reference photo so you can copy it one square at a time onto a matching grid on your paper. Each square holds only a small part of the image, so your proportions stay accurate even with complex subjects.
Free to try. Pro unlocks PNG downloads of the gridded photo and the paper grid. Pro is a £3.99 one-off payment, unlocks Pro features in every tool.
Get ProLoad a reference photo to begin.
How to add a grid to a reference photo
- Add your reference photo. Choose an image from your device, or try the sample drawing. The photo stays in your browser.
- Choose your paper size. Pick a standard size such as A4, A3 or 9 x 12 in, or enter a custom width and height. Select Match my photo to follow the photo's own orientation.
- Set the square size. Smaller squares give more accuracy for detailed areas, larger squares are quicker for simple shapes. 1 inch or 2 cm is a good starting point.
- Pick a line colour. Use white, black, gold or red, whichever stands out against your photo, and adjust the line weight so the grid is visible but does not hide detail.
- Draw the matching grid on your paper. Lightly mark the same number of squares on your paper in pencil, then copy the shapes square by square. Erase the grid when you are done.
How to use the grid drawing tool
The grid method is one of the oldest and most reliable ways to get proportion right. This tool builds both halves of it: a grid laid over your reference photo, and a matching blank grid at the scale of your real paper.
- Load your reference photo. It stays on your device.
- Choose your paper size. The photo is cropped to the paper's proportions - use the crop sliders to frame it.
- Pick a square size. Smaller squares give more accuracy but take longer.
- Lightly draw the same grid on your paper, using the millimetre or inch spacing shown, and copy the drawing square by square.
Choosing a square size
For a first-stage construction drawing, big squares are enough - they capture the main shapes and their relationships. Reduce the size only where you need it, such as eyes and mouths in a portrait. If your squares do not divide the paper evenly, leave Snap to whole columns ticked and the tool will nudge the size so the columns fit exactly.
Draw the paper grid very lightly in hard pencil so it disappears under your work or lifts cleanly with a kneaded eraser. On soft or delicate paper, consider a tracing-paper overlay instead.
Frequently asked questions
How does the grid method work?+
You place a grid over your reference and draw a matching grid on your paper. You then copy what you see one square at a time, which turns a hard proportion problem into lots of small, easy ones.
What size should the squares be?+
Smaller squares give more accuracy but take longer. For a first pass, 25 to 50 mm (1 to 2 inches) squares suit most A4 to A3 drawings. Use smaller squares only for complex areas like faces.
Does the tool upload my photo?+
No. The image is processed entirely in your browser and is never sent to a server.
Is the grid method cheating?+
No. Artists have used grids for centuries, from Dürer's perspective frames to modern realists. It is a measuring tool, and the drawing judgment is still yours.
How do I draw a grid on paper to match my photo?+
Divide your paper into the same number of squares across and down as the photo grid. If your paper is twice the size of the printed photo, each paper square is simply twice the width of a photo square. Mark the grid very lightly in hard pencil so it erases cleanly.
What paper size should I use with the grid method?+
Any size works as long as the paper has the same proportions as your photo. If the shapes do not match, crop the photo to your paper ratio first, or use Match my photo so the grid follows the photo's own proportions.
Can I use the grid method on coloured pencil drawings?+
Yes. Draw a faint grid in hard graphite or a light coloured pencil that blends with your first layers, transfer the outlines, then lift the lines with a kneaded eraser before adding colour.
Is a grid better than tracing?+
A grid trains your eye to see shapes and proportions, which is a skill you keep using. Tracing is faster but does not teach observation. Many artists use the grid for complex subjects and freehand for simple ones.