Printable grid maker

Make a drawing grid that prints at exactly the right size, for the grid method. Choose your paper and square size, then print it or download it. Everything happens in your browser.

Enlarge helper

Enter the size of your picture, how wide you want your drawing to be, and the small square size. We'll work out the scale factor and the matching big squares.

Picture width (in)Picture height (in)

Drawing width (in)Small square (in)

Make the matching big gridMake the small grid (for tracing paper)

Example: a 6 inch wide picture drawn 12 inches wide is a scale factor of ×2, so 1/2 inch squares become 1 inch squares. 1 inch = 25.4 mm.

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Print the small grid on tracing paper

Why print the small grid on tracing paper? You lay it over your picture and tape it at the corners, so the picture itself is never marked. It's also a huge time-saver for artists: no ruling a grid by hand every time. Print a perfect grid in seconds, reuse it on any picture, and make a matching bigger grid for your paper.

Printing tips

• Print at 100% / Actual size, never "fit to page", or the squares will shrink.
• Use inkjet or laser tracing paper to match your printer, and check the package.
• Measure one printed square with a ruler to check it is the size you chose.
• On large-format printers (poster sizes such as A2, A1, A0), set the paper size in the printer dialog to match.
• Most printers can't print right to the edge, so keep a margin of at least 1/4 inch.
• Light gray or blue lines are easiest to work over and erase on copies.

New to the method? Follow the step-by-step grid method lesson, or see all art lessons.