Grid toggle
Shows or hides the grid lines on your canvas. Grid lines are light grey (#cfcfcf) and don't appear in saved images.
The Grid Tool helps you draw straight and perfectly aligned shapes. It shows a grid of light grey lines on your canvas that you can use as a guide. When "Snap to Grid" is enabled, your drawings will automatically align to the grid points, making it easy to create precise artwork!
How to use the grid
Access grid tool
The grid controls appear when any drawing tool is active. Look for the grid controls in the toolbar.
Show the grid
Click the "Grid" toggle button or press G to show or hide the grid lines on your canvas.
Enable snap to grid
Click the "Snap" button or press S to make your drawings automatically align to grid points.
Adjust grid size
Use the slider or type a number in the input field to change the spacing between grid lines. Choose values from 5 to 100 points (default is 30 points).
Grid controls
Snap to grid
When enabled, all drawing points automatically jump to the nearest grid intersection for perfect alignment.
Grid size slider
Slide to make grid squares bigger or smaller. Range is 5 to 100 points.
Size input field
Type an exact number for precise grid spacing. Accepts values from 5 to 100 points.
Understanding grid size
Grid size examples
The grid size is measured in points (pt). One point equals 4/3 pixels at standard resolution:
- 5 to 15 pt: Very fine grid for detailed work and small elements
- 20 to 40 pt: Medium grid for general drawing (default is 30 pt)
- 50 to 100 pt: Large grid for big shapes and layout work
Keyboard shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle grid on or off | G |
| Toggle snap to grid | S |
| Increase grid size | + or = |
| Decrease grid size | - or _ |
Note: Keyboard shortcuts work when not typing in input fields.
When to use the grid
Perfect for:
- Technical drawings: Floor plans, diagrams and charts
- Geometric art: Patterns, mandalas and tessellations
- Pixel art: Use a small grid (5 to 10 pt) for pixel-perfect designs
- Alignment: Making sure objects line up perfectly
- Symmetry: Creating balanced, symmetrical designs
- Architecture: Building layouts and structural drawings
Turn it off for:
- Freehand drawing: When you want organic, natural shapes
- Artistic sketches: For loose, expressive artwork
- Curved designs: When working with circles and smooth curves
- Organic art: Nature drawings, portraits and abstract art
Technical details
Grid implementation
The grid uses SVG patterns with light grey lines (#cfcfcf) and non-scaling stroke effects for consistent appearance at all zoom levels.
Snap precision
Snap-to-grid calculates the nearest grid intersection and automatically moves your drawing point there. The snap distance is based on the current grid cell size.
Performance
The grid is optimised for performance and scales efficiently with canvas size. Grid calculations use the current zoom level and viewport dimensions.
Common questions
Why can't I see the grid?
Make sure the grid toggle button is pressed (highlighted). The grid uses light grey lines that might be faint on some displays. Try adjusting your screen brightness or using a larger grid size.
My shapes aren't snapping to the grid?
Check that the "Snap" button is pressed (highlighted). Press the S key to toggle snap mode on or off.
Can I change the grid colour?
The grid uses a light grey colour (#cfcfcf) optimised for visibility without interfering with your artwork. This colour is not currently customisable.
Does the grid appear in saved images?
No! The grid is only a visual guide for drawing. When you save or export your artwork, the grid lines are never included.
What's the best grid size for beginners?
Start with the default 30 pt – it provides good balance for most drawing tasks. Use smaller grids (10 to 20 pt) for detail work and larger grids (40 to 60 pt) for layout and big shapes.
Why does the grid look different when I zoom?
The grid automatically adjusts to maintain consistent visual spacing at different zoom levels. This ensures the grid remains useful as a drawing guide regardless of your current view scale.