Pixel art grid & blank templates
Every pixel art picture starts on a grid — grab a blank template in the right size and fill it in square by square, then finish it in Pixel Paint.
A pixel art grid is simply a square canvas divided into equal cells, where each cell holds one solid color. Instead of drawing smooth lines, you decide which squares to fill — that's what gives pixel art its crisp, blocky look. A blank pixel art grid is your starting point: an empty template of, say, 16×16 or 32×32 cells that you plan and color one pixel at a time.
Grid size matters more than anything else. A small grid keeps the color count low and finishes fast, while a bigger grid leaves room for detail but takes longer to plan. Below are blank pixel art grid templates in a few common sizes — pick one that fits your idea, or open the Pixel Paint grid maker and start coloring straight away.
Which pixel art grid size to choose
- 8×8 — tiny icons: just 64 squares, perfect for hearts, arrows and simple badges. Fast to fill and forgiving for a first try.
- 16×16 — beginners: the sweet spot for easy pixel art — enough room for clear shapes without overwhelming you.
- 32×32 — characters: room for faces, animals and cute pixel art with real detail and a bit of shading.
- 64×64 — scenes: full backgrounds and landscapes. Beautiful, but plan your colors before you start — that's a lot of squares.
How to use a pixel art grid
- Choose a grid size. Start with a 16×16 blank grid template for simple designs, or 32×32 when you want more detail.
- Outline the shape. Fill the edge cells first to lock in the silhouette, keeping the design symmetrical where you can.
- Fill the base colors. Flat-fill each area with a single color before worrying about detail — one color per region.
- Add shading. Drop in a slightly darker and lighter shade of each color along the edges to give the picture depth.
- Color it in Pixel Paint. Open the app, pick a ready grid or import a photo, and tap to fill each square — no printing required.
Prefer not to draw your own template from scratch? Pixel Paint gives you ready-made grids in every common size, acts as a built-in pixel art grid maker, and can even turn any photo into a grid-based pixel art puzzle — so you always have a blank grid waiting when inspiration strikes.
Keep exploring
Pixel art grid — FAQ
What is a pixel art grid?
A pixel art grid is a square lattice of equal cells that each hold one color. Instead of freehand drawing, you fill cells one by one, so a blank grid template is really just a canvas divided into pixels — a 16×16 grid, for example, gives you 256 squares to color.
What grid size should I use?
Match the size to your subject. Use 8×8 for tiny icons, 16×16 for beginner-friendly designs, 32×32 for characters with more detail, and 64×64 for full scenes. Larger grids allow more detail but take longer to plan and color, so most people start at 16×16 or 32×32.
Where can I get a blank pixel art grid?
You can print a blank pixel art grid template or use a pixel art grid maker on screen. Pixel Paint gives you ready-made grids in common sizes and can even turn a photo into a grid-based pixel art puzzle, so you can start coloring right away.