Drawing Multi Grid Overlay - Free tool for artists.

Upload your image and add a drawing grid with 5, 10 or 20 lines. Choose square cells, line color and opacity – then download your grid image instantly. Free tool for artists.

Free to Use – Always

This grid tool is completely free and available to everyone. It is part of Konstlabbet, a collection of free tools for artists gathered at akvarellskiss.se. No account needed, no watermarks, no limitations. Just upload, adjust, and download.

Your image never leaves your device – everything is processed directly in your browser, which also means the tool works just as well on your phone as on your computer.

The traditional solution is to draw a grid by hand directly on your reference image or on a separate sheet of paper. You measure, you mark, you draw – and then you have to erase it all afterward, or worse, you have ruined your original reference. It works, but it is slow, and for many artists it breaks the creative flow before they have even started painting.

That is exactly why we built this free grid tool.

What Is a Drawing Grid and Why Do Artists Use It?

A drawing grid divides an image into equal sections – rows and columns – so that you can copy each small section onto your canvas one at a time. Instead of trying to capture the whole composition at once, you focus on one square at a time. The result is a much more accurate transfer of proportions, angles, and shapes.

Artists have used this technique for centuries. From the Renaissance masters who used gridded glass screens to project compositions, to contemporary painters who grid their photo references before starting a portrait. It is one of the most reliable and time-tested methods for scaling artwork accurately.

The number of grid lines you choose determines how detailed your transfer can be. Fewer lines give you a rough compositional guide. More lines give you precise control over every detail.

How the Grid Tool Works

This free online tool makes the entire process fast and simple – no downloads, no apps, no sign-up required.

Upload your image. Click the upload area or drag and drop any photo, sketch, or reference image directly from your phone or computer. The tool works with JPG, PNG, and WEBP files in any size.

Choose your grid size. Select 5, 10, or 20 lines depending on how much detail you need. A 5-line grid is great for simple compositions and quick proportion checks. A 10-line grid is the most popular choice for portraits and landscapes. A 20-line grid gives you maximum precision for complex or highly detailed work.

Switch to square grid mode. Enable the square grid toggle to automatically adjust the grid so that every cell becomes a perfect square. This is especially useful when your canvas has a different aspect ratio than your reference – the tool calculates the correct number of rows and columns so nothing gets distorted.

Customize the grid lines. Choose any line color using the color picker. Adjust the opacity so the grid is visible but does not overpower the image underneath. Whether you prefer a bold red grid on a light photo or a subtle white grid on a dark painting, you are in full control.

Read the numbering. Every column and row is numbered along the edges of the image, so you can easily navigate between your reference grid and your canvas grid without losing your place.

Download and print. When you are happy with the grid, click the download button to save the image with the grid overlay as a PNG file. Print it at any size – scale it up to match your canvas or scale it down to fit a sketchbook. The grid stays perfectly proportional.

Who Is This Tool For?

This tool is designed for artists at every level – from beginners learning to draw from reference to experienced painters who want a faster workflow.

It is particularly useful for watercolor artists who need to transfer a composition onto paper before committing to paint. It works equally well for oil and acrylic painters, pencil and charcoal artists, illustrators, and anyone working on murals or large-format pieces who needs to scale up a smaller design accurately.

If you teach art, this tool is also a great resource for students who are learning proportion and composition for the first time.

Why Use a Digital Grid Tool Instead of Drawing by Hand?

Drawing a grid by hand takes time. Measuring equal intervals, keeping lines straight, and then cleaning up afterward all add unnecessary steps before you even start creating. A digital grid tool eliminates all of that friction.

You keep your original reference image clean and unmodified. You can try different grid sizes in seconds. You can adjust the color and opacity to match whatever works best with your specific image. And when you are done, you simply download and print.

It is faster, cleaner, and more flexible than any hand-drawn alternative.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

• Match your grid to your canvas. If your canvas is 40×50 cm, draw a matching grid on your canvas in pencil before you start. Use the same number of lines as your reference grid so the sections align perfectly.

• Use square grid mode for different aspect ratios. If your reference photo is square but your canvas is portrait format, enable square grid mode. The tool will adjust the number of rows so all cells remain square on both the reference and the canvas.

• Start with 10 lines. If you are unsure how many lines to use, 10 is the most versatile choice for most subjects.

• Print slightly larger than your reference. Scaling the printed grid to a slightly larger size makes it easier to see the details in each cell when working.

• Low opacity works well for dark images. If your reference has a lot of dark areas, try reducing the grid opacity or switching to a white or yellow line color for better visibility.