How to Make a Photo Collage: Layouts, Sizes and Tips
Combine photos into a grid, side-by-side or stacked collage for social media or print, with layout and sizing tips, using a free photo collage maker.
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Free tool: Photo Collage MakerA photo collage combines several pictures into one image: a trip summed up in a grid, a before-and-after side by side, or a set of product shots in one post. A tidy layout, consistent spacing and the right size make the difference between a jumble and a collage people want to look at. This guide covers layouts, sizes and how to make one with the free Photo Collage Maker.
Choosing a layout
- Grid: photos in rows and columns. Best for 4 to 20 photos, such as highlights of an event.
- Side by side: photos in one row. Perfect for before-and-after comparisons and pairs.
- Stacked: photos in one column. Good for steps in a process or tall formats like stories.
Choosing a shape and size
| Where it's going | Shape | Width |
|---|---|---|
| Social media feed | Square (1:1) or portrait (3:4) | 1080 px |
| Stories and vertical video apps | Story (9:16) | 1080 px |
| Website or blog | Landscape (4:3) or wide (16:9) | 1600–2048 px |
| Printing | Any | 3000 px |
How to make a collage with Graph Maker
- Open the Photo Collage Maker and drop in 2 or more photos (up to 20), or click to choose them.
- Put them in order with the move buttons next to each photo.
- Choose the arrangement: Grid, Side by side or Stacked, and for a grid, the number of columns.
- Choose the cell shape: match the photos, or force a shape such as square, 4:3, 3:4, 16:9 or 9:16.
- Decide how photos fill the cells: Fill cells (crop) for a tidy grid with no gaps, or Fit whole photo to show every photo in full.
- Style it: set the spacing between photos, an outer border, rounded corners and the background color.
- Choose the width (1080, 1600, 2048 or 3000 pixels) and the format, then download your collage.
Photos are combined in your browser, so they aren't uploaded.
Tips for a great collage
- Pick a lead photo. Put your strongest picture first, top left, where people look first.
- Mix close-ups and wide shots for variety, but keep the colors and mood consistent.
- Use spacing. A small gap between photos looks cleaner than pictures butting together.
- Crop with care. When cells crop the photos, check that no heads or important details are cut off; switch to Fit whole photo if they are.
- Fewer, better photos beat a crowded grid. Nine strong pictures make a better collage than twenty average ones.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put two photos side by side?
Add both photos, choose the Side by side arrangement, and download. Use the same cell shape for both if you want them to line up neatly.
What size should a collage be for social media?
For most feeds, a 1080-pixel-wide square or portrait collage works well; for stories, use the 9:16 story shape at 1080 pixels wide.
Can I make a collage for printing?
Yes. Choose the 3000-pixel width, which gives a sharp print at around 10 inches wide at 300 pixels per inch, and save as PNG or high-quality JPG.