Grid Generator for Pixel Art
A free, signup-free pixel grid generator that runs entirely in your browser. Built for indie game developers, digital artists, and perler bead / cross-stitch makers — overlay a clean 32×32 grid on any sprite or photo, export, and start placing pixels with surgical precision. Your images never leave your device.
What is a Pixel Art Grid?
A pixel art grid is the foundation of digital art at low resolutions. It divides your canvas into a fixed matrix of equal cells — typically 16×16, 32×32, or 64×64 — so you can place every single pixel with intent instead of guessing.
Working inside a strict grid forces you to read silhouette and value before detail, which is exactly the discipline that separates clean retro sprites from noisy ones. It is also why the same grid maps perfectly onto physical pixel crafts like perler beads and cross-stitch.
A 16×16 grid preview — the classic retro tile size
How to Turn Any Photo into a Pixel Art Guide
Upload your reference image
Drop in a photo, sketch, or existing sprite. The image is processed locally in your browser and never uploaded to a server, so your unreleased art stays private.
Set grid size to 16×16, 32×32, or 64×64
Match the grid to your target canvas. 32×32 is loaded by default for character sprites; switch to 16×16 for retro tiles or 64×64 for detailed portraits. Use 1px translucent lines so the grid never hides your pixels.
Use it as a guide for sprites or perler patterns
Export the gridded reference as PNG, then map each cell to a pixel, bead, or stitch. The labeled grid (A1, B2…) makes it easy to track your position across large sprites.
Who is this Pixel Grid Generator for?
Whether you ship games or craft in the living room, a precise grid is the difference between a clean result and a muddy one. This tool is built for three groups of makers:
Indie game developers
Scale and block out retro sprites at the exact resolution your engine expects. Use the 32×32 default for characters and 16×16 for tiles, then export a clean reference to paint over in Aseprite or PyxelEdit.
Digital artists practicing low-res
Train your eye for silhouette, value, and color blocking. The tight 32×32 grid forces confident shape decisions — the core skill behind every great pixel artist.
Perler bead & cross-stitch makers
Turn any photo into a physical pattern. Set the grid to your bead board or Aida cloth count, export, and follow each square as one bead or one stitch.
Pixel Art Grid FAQ
What is the most common grid size for pixel art?+
32×32 is the most popular canvas for character sprites and icons. 16×16 is great for tiny retro tiles and UI elements, while 64×64 gives you room for more detailed characters. This tool defaults to 32×32 — the sweet spot for indie game art — but you can switch to any size from 2×2 up to 24×24 per side and beyond by combining rows and columns.
16×16 or 32×32 — which pixel grid should I start with?+
Start with 16×16 if you are learning to read silhouette and value first, because the tight constraint forces clean shapes. Move up to 32×32 once you need facial features, shading, and accessories. Most professional pixel artists keep both sizes as presets and choose based on how the sprite will be used on screen.
Can I use this tool to make perler bead or cross-stitch patterns?+
Yes. Upload a reference photo, set the grid to match your physical bead or stitch count (for example 29×29 for a standard Hama pegboard), and export the gridded image. Each square then maps to one bead or one stitch, so you can follow it as a pixel-by-pixel pattern while you work.
Related Grid Tools
Also try: Grid Method Drawing Tool
Drawing traditional art instead of pixels? Our grid method drawing tool loads with a clean red 5×7 grid — perfect for transferring proportions from photo to canvas for portraits and studies.
Open Grid Method Drawing Tool