How to quickly add a custom grid in Photoshop

When designing for web in Photoshop, I often need a grid to help me with my layout. Guides are a great tool to use, but placement of the guides is the tricky part. How do I know the space is mathematically correct?

Here’s a quick way to add grids to your design without the need for measuring.

Step 1

Start by drawing a rectangle using the shape tool. It doesn’t matter how big it is.

step1

Step 2

Next, duplicate the shape. (Option/alt click it and drag to the right to copy).
Create as many shapes as columns you desire in your grid.

step2

Step 3

Select all shapes and click Edit > Transform (Command/ctrl + T).
Stretch them to the width of the area you want broken into columns. In my case, I’m using the whole page.

step3

Step 4

Now simply add vertical guides to the right of each rectangle.
Tip: Photoshop will snap the guide to the edge of your rectangle for you, which saves a lot of time.

step4

Step 5

Finally, delete the rectangles and you’ve created a perfect grid without having to measure anything!

step5