Instagram Grid Maker
Split one photo into 2×2, 3×3 or 4×4 square tiles and download them in posting order, so the pieces line up into a single picture across your Instagram profile grid. Everything runs in your browser.
What a grid post is
A profile grid shows posts three across. If you cut one photo into nine squares and upload them in the right order, a visitor scrolling your profile sees the original photo spread over nine tiles. Each tile is still an ordinary post in the feed, so the image also has to work on its own.
What you need
One photo with the subject roughly centred. A square or near-square source works best because the tool cuts a square region before dividing it. High resolution matters here: a 3×3 grid takes a ninth of the width for each tile, so a 1080-pixel source yields 360-pixel tiles.
How to split a picture for Instagram
- Add the photo. Click, drag it in, or paste it.
- Pick the grid size. 3×3 is the usual choice; 2×2 needs less resolution.
- Choose crop or pad. The preview shows the cut lines over the square region that will actually be used.
- Download all tiles and upload them to Instagram in the order the filenames give you.
Getting the order right
This is where most grid posts go wrong. The profile grid fills from the top-left with your most recent post, so the tile that belongs top-left has to be posted last. Rather than making you work that out, the files are numbered in upload order: post grid-01 first and grid-09 last. Post them in one sitting; anything else you publish in between will shift the whole mosaic.
When a grid post is a bad idea
- A low-resolution source. Nine tiles from a phone screenshot look soft. Aim for at least 2000 pixels on the short edge for a 3×3.
- Faces on a cut line. The seams fall at exact thirds. Check the preview and reposition or re-crop the photo if an eye lands on a boundary.
- You post often. The mosaic only survives while nothing else is published. One new post pushes every tile one place along and the picture breaks.
- Text in the photo. Words split across tiles are unreadable in the feed, where each tile is seen alone.
How this differs from the other tools here
This tool produces several files from one photo. The drawing grid looks superficially similar but draws guide lines onto a single image for artists. If you only want one square post rather than a mosaic, use the square image converter, and see the Instagram square image guide for the sizes Instagram expects.
Frequently asked questions
In what order do I post the tiles?
Instagram puts the newest post top-left and pushes older ones right and down, so the tiles have to go up in reverse reading order. The files are numbered for that: upload grid-01 first, grid-02 second, and so on. Follow the numbers and the picture assembles the right way up.
Why does my browser ask permission to download several files?
Saving more than one file from a page triggers a one-time prompt in Chrome and Edge. Allow it and the remaining tiles save automatically. The tool spaces the saves out so none get dropped.
Should I choose cropping or padding?
Cropping fills every tile edge to edge and loses the sides of a non-square photo. Padding keeps the entire photo and adds white bands, which is safer for a group shot where someone sits near the edge but leaves visible white in the finished grid.
What resolution is each tile?
Up to 1080 x 1080, which is what Instagram stores for a feed post. A source photo smaller than 1080 x N gives smaller tiles rather than upscaled soft ones.
Does the photo leave my device?
No. The split is a canvas operation in your browser and each tile is saved directly from it.
Other image tools on this site
- Square Image ConverterBlur, solid color, resize, or 1:1 crop — the main square converter.
- Square CropDrag a 1:1 crop box over the photo and compare several crops.
- Blurred FrameSeparate scale controls for the sharp photo and the blurred backdrop.
- Rounded CornersRound the corners of an image and keep the cut-out transparent.
- Full DP MakerA whole photo as a profile picture, with no crop on WhatsApp.
- Drawing GridOverlay a numbered grid on a reference photo for grid drawing.
- Solid Color BackgroundGenerate a plain color image at any size, no upload needed.