About composition grid
Composition guides help you place a subject well. The rule of thirds splits the frame into nine, the phi grid uses the golden ratio for tighter center lines, and quarters give an even four-by-four. Add corner diagonals or center lines, and pick the aspect ratio you shoot or paint in.
Composition guides help you place a subject deliberately. The rule of thirds divides the frame into nine and suggests putting interest on the lines or their intersections; the phi grid uses the golden ratio for tighter center lines; quarters give an even four-by-four. Add corner diagonals or center lines as needed.
Pick the aspect ratio you shoot or paint in so the guide matches your frame, then use it as an overlay to practice framing or to plan a crop before printing.
Great for
- Photography framing practice
- Painting and drawing layout
- Cropping and print planning
- Storyboard and shot design
Common questions
What is the difference between rule of thirds and the phi grid?
Both place a subject off-center, but the phi (golden-ratio) grid pulls the guide lines slightly closer to the middle than the even thirds grid.
Can I match my camera's aspect ratio?
Yes — set the frame ratio, for example 3:2, 4:3 or 16:9, so the guides line up with your shots.
Guides for this paper
Printing at the right size
Every sheet is drawn in real units, so it prints true to size as long as you print at 100%. In the print dialog, set the scale to 100% and turn off “Fit to page” or “Shrink oversized pages” — then a 5 mm square really measures 5 mm. Download a vector SVG to edit later, a PNG at up to 600 dpi, or a ready-to-print PDF. Everything is generated in your browser, nothing is uploaded, and every sheet is free to print for personal, classroom and commercial use. See the guide to printing at true size or the FAQ for more.