keepcalculator

06 Numbers and Powers

Put 2 Pictures Side by Side: How To

Card No. 06·68819 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

To put two pictures side by side, you can use a photo editor, an online tool, or even a simple document editor—the method depends on the device and the final format you need. This article explains the most common ways to combine images horizontally, what to watch out for, and how to get a clean result every time.

Why Put Images Side by Side?

Combining two images into one horizontal strip is useful for before-and-after comparisons, product shots, event collages, or simply to share two related photos in a single file. It’s a common task for social media posts, online listings, and personal projects. The key is to keep the images aligned and the file size reasonable.

Methods on Different Devices

You can achieve the same result on almost any device, but the steps differ.

On Windows (Using Paint)

  1. Open the first image in Paint (right-click → Open with → Paint).
  2. Note the image width and height (look at the bottom-left corner or Image Properties).
  3. Go to File → Properties and increase the width to double the original width (plus a gap if you want one).
  4. Copy the first image (Ctrl+C), then paste it (Ctrl+V). Move it to the left side.
  5. Open the second image in a new Paint window, copy it, go back to the first window, and paste it. Move it to the right side.
  6. Save the file (File → Save As → PNG or JPEG).

On macOS (Using Preview)

  1. Open both images in Preview.
  2. In the first image, go to Tools → Adjust Size and double the width (uncheck “Scale proportionally” if needed).
  3. Copy the second image (Cmd+C), go to the first image, and paste (Cmd+V). Drag it to the right side.
  4. Save the file (File → Export).

On a Phone (iOS/Android)

Most phones have built-in photo editors that allow combining images, but the exact steps vary. A quick way is to use the “Collage” feature in Google Photos (on Android) or the built-in editor in the Photos app (on iOS). You can also use a free app like Canva or PicsArt—both allow placing two images side by side on a blank canvas.

How to Choose the Right Method

Consider the following factors when picking a method:

  • File format – If you need a transparent background, use PNG. For photos, JPEG is fine.
  • Resolution – For printing, keep at least 300 DPI. For web, 72–150 DPI is usually enough.
  • Alignment – If the images have different heights, you may want to crop them to the same height first.
  • Gap – A gap of 10–30 px is common for a clean look.
  • Ease of use – Online tools are fastest for one-off tasks; desktop editors give more control.

Common Problems and Solutions

  • Images don’t align – Crop both to the same height before combining, or use a tool that auto-aligns.
  • File size too large – Save as JPEG with moderate compression, or resize the images to the final dimensions.
  • Blurry result – Avoid upscaling; combine at the original resolution.
  • Gap not even – If you’re using a canvas, set the canvas width to 2×image width + gap, and place the images exactly at 0 and (image width + gap).

Alternatives to Manual Editing

If you don’t want to edit manually, you can use:

  • Online side-by-side tools – Many free websites let you upload two images and download the combined result.
  • Collage apps – Apps like Canva, Adobe Express, or Fotor offer pre-made templates.
  • Command line (ImageMagick) – For advanced users, the command convert img1.jpg img2.jpg +append result.jpg does it instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put more than two images side by side?

Yes, the same principle applies: add the widths of all images plus gaps. The formula becomes Total width = sum of all widths + (n-1) × gap, where n is the number of images.

How do I keep the image quality high?

Work with the original files, not screenshots. Save as PNG or high-quality JPEG. Avoid resizing up.

Do the images have to be the same size?

No, but if they have different heights, the final image will have empty space on the shorter side. You can crop or stretch to match, but stretching may distort the image.

What’s the best format for social media?

JPEG is widely supported and has a small file size. For images with text or logos, PNG is better.

Can I do this on my phone without an app?

Yes, many phones have a built-in collage feature in the gallery app. On Android, Google Photos has a “Collage” option; on iPhone, you can use the Shortcuts app or the built-in editor in iOS 17 and later.

Related

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

More cards in this drawer

The whole Numbers and Powers drawer →