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Pixel Art Grid Maker
Draw pixel art one square at a time, or upload an image to create an editable pixel grid. Choose your grid size, paint with colors, and download your finished art. Free, no sign-up required.
Draw from scratch Edit an uploaded image Made on your device
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New to pixel art? Learn how to use the grid
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How to Make Pixel Art on a Grid
Create your own drawing, from a tiny icon to a 64×64 character. You can change the color of every square.
- 01
Choose a grid
Start with 16×16 or 32×32, or set your own width and height. New blank grid clears the existing art.
- 02
Pick a color
Use the color picker or choose from a PICO-8, Game Boy, or grayscale palette. Pick a shade with Eyedropper if you want to match a color already on the grid.
- 03
Draw or fill squares
Paint with Pencil, use Eraser to remove pixels, Fill to color connected areas, or Eyedropper to pick a color.
- 04
Review and download
Show or hide grid lines while editing, use Undo and Redo, then download a plain PNG, a lined grid, or a blank template.
From photo to pixel art
Turn an Image into an Editable Pixel Art Grid
Don't stop at an automatic conversion. Keep drawing after you turn a photo into pixel art.
Choose the grid
Set 16×16, 32×32, 64×64, or a custom size. Fit keeps the whole image; Fill crops the edges to cover the grid.
Simplify the colors
Try Automatic colors, Original colors, PICO-8, Game Boy, or grayscale. Under Color texture, choose Textured shading for a speckled look or None for cleaner blocks.
Make it your own
Recolor individual squares, erase details, or fill an area. To try different photo settings, choose Update from original photo. Undo brings back your earlier drawing.
Once your picture is on the grid, you can change any square's color, erase it, or fill an area. You're not limited to the first result.
Try converting an imageGet a cleaner conversion
Best Image-to-Pixel-Grid Settings to Try
The right grid size and colors depend on the picture you start with. Use these as starting points, then edit the individual squares.
Small icons and simple logos
Try: 16×16 or 32×32, Fit entire image, and 8–16 Automatic colors. Set Color texture to None · clean blocks for cleaner shapes and outlines.
If the icon becomes hard to recognize, increase the grid size or start with an image that has fewer fine details.
Portraits and character references
Try: 64×64, 16–32 Automatic colors, and either image fit option. Fill grid can make the person larger but may crop the edges.
Keep the face or main character clearly visible. Try Original colors if simplified colors make important features disappear.
Landscapes and colorful scenes
Try: 64×64 or 128×128, 32 Automatic colors, and Fit entire image to preserve the scene.
Turn on Textured shading if you want softer-looking color changes. Switch it off if skies and flat areas look too speckled.
After choosing different photo settings: select Update from original photo to apply them. This redraws your grid from the uploaded picture and replaces any painting you've done. Choose Undo to restore your earlier version.
Choose your canvas
Choose Your Pixel Art Grid Size
Smaller grids are easier to fill and give a blockier look. Larger grids keep more detail but require more cells.
| Grid size | Squares to color | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 16×16 | 256 | Small icons and simple characters |
| 32×32 | 1,024 | Game sprites and beginner pixel art |
| 64×64 | 4,096 | Detailed icons and small scenes |
| 128×128 | 16,384 | More detailed drawings |
| Custom | Depends on width × height | Non-square patterns such as 24×32 |
A 32×32 pixel art grid has exactly 1,024 cells. Use a square preset for icons or enter different Width and Height values for a rectangular design. You can resize while keeping the pixels that fit in the new grid.
Print and color
Free Pixel Art Grid Templates
Make a blank grid for sketching, classroom activities, or planning a design on paper.
Blank 16×16 grid
256 squares, ideal for simple icons and small pixel drawings.
Make a 16×16 templateBlank 32×32 grid
1,024 squares, a practical starting point for most pixel art patterns.
Make a 32×32 templateBlank 64×64 grid
4,096 squares for drawings that need more detail.
Make a 64×64 templateDownload a blank pixel art grid template as PNG or SVG. The SVG stays sharp when printed or resized. Turn on row and column numbers if you want numbered guides; they are optional.
Make it your own
Draw and Color Pixel Art Online
Try Heart, Mushroom, or Cat in the editor. You can change every square and make the drawing your own.
Pencil and Eraser
Click or drag to color individual cells. Dragging connects cells, helping you draw without gaps.
Fill and Eyedropper
Fill a neighboring region of the same color, or sample a color from your design and keep drawing.
Undo, Redo, and Zoom
Fix mistakes and zoom in for precision. Keyboard users can move around the grid with arrow keys and paint with Space.
Learn by changing a design
Three Easy Pixel Art Projects to Try
Open one of the built-in examples in the editor. Each square is editable, so you can practice without uploading an image.
16×16 Pixel Heart
Select Heart under Try a sample drawing. Use Pencil to change the highlight, then Eyedropper to pick an existing pink shade.
Try Eraser at the edge to refine the shape. Download at 8× if you want a larger image with clearly visible square pixels.
32×32 Pixel Mushroom
Select Mushroom. Choose a new color, then use Fill on a connected part of the cap to recolor it.
If you change the wrong area, use Undo. Try turning off Show grid lines to compare your design with its plain pixel art appearance.
32×32 Pixel Cat
Select Cat. Use Zoom to work on the eyes or ears, and Pencil to add small details one square at a time.
Try a Game Boy swatch for a limited-color look, then download Grid PNG if you want to follow the design square by square.
Loading another example replaces the current drawing. Use Undo if you need to return to your previous grid, and download anything you want to keep before refreshing the page.
Save your design
Download Your Pixel Art Grid
Choose whether you need a finished piece of pixel art or a grid you can follow on paper.
Pixel Art PNG
Download your artwork without grid lines. Choose 1× for actual pixels or sharp 8× / 16× enlargements.
Grid PNG
Save your colored artwork with visible grid lines and optional row and column numbers.
Blank PNG / SVG and Print
Get an empty grid at your chosen size, print your current artwork, or use the browser's print dialog to save a PDF.
Pick the file that fits
Which Pixel Art Grid Download Should You Use?
Your artwork and a blank paper template serve different purposes. Choose the output that matches what you want to do next.
| Download option | What's included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel art PNG | Only your colored pixels, without grid lines | Icons, sprites, and sharing the finished artwork |
| Grid PNG | Your artwork with grid lines and optional row/column numbers | Following the pattern one square at a time |
| Blank grid PNG | Empty grid with optional numbers; your artwork is not included | Printing a sheet to color by hand |
| Blank grid SVG | Scalable empty grid with optional numbers | Resizing and printing a crisp grid template |
| Print current grid | Current artwork displayed with grid lines | Paper instructions or Save as PDF in your browser |
For printing: choose your grid size, enable Show row and column numbers if needed, then use Print current grid. To print an empty sheet instead, download Blank grid template SVG and open it in your browser. The separate Show grid lines checkbox controls the editing preview; grid/template downloads include their lines automatically.
Fix a common problem
How to Get Better Results from Your Pixel Grid
A few simple changes often work better than starting the drawing again.
Part of my picture is missing or there are empty edges
Fit entire image keeps everything visible but may leave transparent margins. Fill grid · crop edges covers every cell but can remove parts of the image. Choose the look you prefer, then select Update from original photo.
The design is too blocky or the colors look messy
Try 64×64 instead of 16×16 for more recognizable shapes. Use a few more Automatic colors, or choose Original colors. Set Color texture to None · clean blocks for simpler, less speckled colors.
My drawing changed or disappeared
Changing the grid size keeps only squares that still fit. Update from original photo replaces the drawing with a fresh version of your uploaded picture. Use Undo after either action to go back. Download your work before refreshing or closing the tab.
Two different tools
Pixel Art Grid Maker vs. Photo to Pixel Art Converter
Use this editor when you want to change individual cells. Use the converter when you only need a quick pixel-style image.
| Feature | Grid Maker (this tool) | Photo to Pixel Art |
|---|---|---|
| Start from a blank grid | Yes | No |
| Turn an uploaded picture into pixel art | Yes, you can edit each square | Yes, into a PNG |
| Draw, erase, and fill cells | Yes | No |
| Download a blank grid template | Yes | No |
| Download pixel art PNG | Yes | Yes |
If your goal is simply to convert a photograph to pixel art, try the Photo to Pixel Art Converter instead.
What Is a Pixel Art Grid Maker?
A pixel art grid maker lets you create a picture by coloring one square at a time. You can start with a blank canvas, color squares one by one, or turn a picture into a grid you can color yourself. You can then save your artwork or a numbered template.
Pixel Art Grid vs. Pixelated Photo: What's the Difference?
A pixelated photo has a blocky look. With a pixel art grid, you can change the color of each square, erase it, or fill an area yourself. This is useful for sprites, icons, simple patterns, and grid-based drawings.
Your drawing stays on your device while you work. Download it before closing or refreshing the page, since your work won't be saved for your next visit.
Frequently
asked questions
How do I make pixel art on a grid?
Start with a blank grid, pick 16×16 or 32×32, and choose a color. Click or drag with Pencil to fill squares. Use Eraser to remove color, Fill to color an area, and Eyedropper to reuse a color from the drawing.
Can I convert an image to a pixel art grid?
Yes. Upload a JPG, PNG, or WebP image and choose the grid size, colors, and image fit. Then you can change the color of any square in the result. Your picture is processed on your device.
Can I make a 32×32 pixel art grid?
Yes. Choose the 32×32 preset or enter 32 for both Width and Height. That gives you 1,024 squares to color. Download your art at 32×32 pixels, or make it 8× or 16× larger with sharp edges.
Is this pixel art grid generator free?
Yes. You can draw, import pictures, edit the grid, and download PNG or SVG files for free, without creating an account or adding a watermark.
Can I download a blank pixel art grid template?
Yes. Create your preferred grid size and select Blank grid template PNG or Blank grid template SVG. You can choose whether to include row and column numbers. The blank template does not include your artwork.
Can I print my pixel art grid?
Yes. Select Print current grid to use your browser's print dialog. You can also download a blank SVG grid, open it in a browser, and print it or save it as a PDF using the print dialog.
Can I edit pixels after uploading an image?
Yes. After uploading, you can repaint any square with Pencil, clear it with Eraser, recolor an area with Fill, or copy a color with Eyedropper. To try different photo settings, choose Update from original photo. Undo restores your earlier drawing.
How do I save pixel art without blurry edges?
Download pixel art PNG at 1× for the actual pixel dimensions, or 8× or 16× for a larger image with sharp square pixels. Grid PNG adds visible grid lines; plain pixel art PNG does not.
Does the pixel art grid maker work on mobile?
Yes. The grid supports touch drawing in modern mobile browsers. You can scroll the editing area and change Zoom for easier pixel-by-pixel editing.
Why does my imported image have empty borders?
Fit entire image shows your whole picture. If its shape doesn't match the grid, you may see empty squares around the edges. Choose Fill grid · crop edges if you want the picture to cover the whole grid, but check that nothing important is cut off.
Why is part of my image cut off after importing?
Fill grid · crop edges fills the whole grid by cropping the sides or top and bottom. Switch Image fit to Fit entire image and select Update from original photo to keep the full picture. You can use Undo if you want your previous edited version back.
Should I use Original colors or Automatic colors?
Original colors keeps more shades from your picture. Automatic colors uses fewer shades, based on the Number of colors setting. Try 8–16 colors for simple icons or 16–32 for more detailed scenes. For smoother-looking areas, set Color texture to None · clean blocks, then choose Update from original photo.
Can I come back and edit my drawing later?
Your drawing stays in this browser tab while you work, but it won't be saved for your next visit. Download your art before leaving. A PNG keeps the picture, not the steps you used to draw it.
Can I use this grid for bead or cross-stitch patterns?
Yes. You can print a colored grid or a blank numbered template to follow as a guide. You'll still need to choose your materials and match the colors for your project.
Will changing the grid size erase my artwork?
Resizing keeps the pixels that fit in the new grid, starting at the top-left corner. Cells outside a smaller grid are removed from the resized version; use Undo if you want the previous grid back. Choose New blank grid to clear it entirely.