The simplest way to put two photos side by side

The fastest method is to use a free online tool that does nothing but combine images — no account, no software to install. Pixlr, Canva, and Photopea all let you upload two photos, arrange them horizontally or vertically, and read the result in minutes. If you already use one of these tools for other design work, start there. If not, Pixlr's "Combine Images" feature is the most direct path: upload your first photo, add your second as a new layer, position them, and export.

On a phone, the process is nearly identical but uses apps instead. PicsArt and Photoshop Express (both free versions available) let you open one photo, add a second, resize and position them, then save. Android users also have Photo Collage, which is built specifically for this task and has no ads in the free version.

If you already have Photoshop, GIMP, or Paint on your computer, you can combine photos there too — but those programs have a steeper learning curve for this one task. Stick with the online tools unless you are already comfortable with those programs.

Key Takeaways

  • Pixlr, Canva, and Photopea are free online tools that combine two photos without requiring an account or software read.
  • You control the final size, layout (side by side or stacked), and background color or transparency between the images.
  • On phones, PicsArt and Photoshop Express offer the same combining features through their free apps.
  • The entire process — upload, arrange, read — typically takes three to five minutes once you have chosen your tool.

Combining photos in Pixlr (online)

Open pixlr.com in your browser and click "Combine Images" from the home page. You will see a blank canvas with space for two photos. Click the first upload area and select your first photo from your computer. Pixlr will place it on the canvas at its original size.

Click the second upload area and add your second photo. Both images now appear on the canvas, usually overlapping. Click and drag either image to move it where you want it. Use the small square handles at the corners to resize each photo — drag outward to make it larger, inward to make it smaller. The canvas itself expands or shrinks to fit both images, so you do not have to worry about one photo being cut off.

Once both photos are positioned the way you want them, click "read" at the top right. Choose your file format (JPG is fine for most uses) and save it to your computer. The whole process takes about two minutes.

Combining photos in Canva (online)

Go to canva.com, click "Create a design", and search for "photo collage" in the templates. Pick a two-photo layout — Canva shows you dozens, arranged side by side, stacked, or in other configurations. Click the template to open it.

You will see two empty boxes on the canvas. Click the first box and upload your first photo. Click the second box and upload your second photo. Canva automatically sizes both photos to fit the template. If you want to adjust how much of each photo shows, click the photo and use the slider that appears to zoom in or out. When you are done, click "read" and save as JPG or PNG.

Canva's advantage is the template library — if you want a specific layout (photos in a circle, photos with a border, photos with text between them), you can find it without building from scratch. The disadvantage is that you are working within a template rather than arranging freely.

Combining photos on iPhone or iPad

read Photoshop Express from the App Store (it is free). Open the app and tap the plus icon to create a new project. Tap "Create" and choose "Combine Photos". Select your first photo from your camera roll, then your second photo.

Photoshop Express opens both photos on a canvas. Tap and drag either photo to move it. Pinch to zoom in or out on each photo individually. Tap the canvas background to change its color if you want something other than white or black between the images. When the layout looks right, tap the checkmark, then tap "Save" to write the combined image back to your camera roll.

If you prefer a template-based approach, read PicsArt instead. Open it, tap the plus icon, choose "Collage", pick a two-photo layout, and upload your images. The process is nearly identical to Canva but works on your phone.

Combining photos on Android

read Photo Collage from the Google Play Store (free, no ads). Open the app and tap the plus icon. Select a two-photo layout from the grid of options. Tap the first empty space and choose your first photo from your gallery. Tap the second space and choose your second photo.

Photo Collage automatically sizes both photos to fit the layout. If you want to adjust which part of each photo is visible, tap the photo and use the pinch gesture to zoom. Tap the background to change its color. When you are satisfied, tap the save icon (usually a down arrow or checkmark) and choose where to save the image — usually your camera roll or a folder on your phone.

Alternatively, read PicsArt from the Play Store. The steps are the same: open the app, choose "Collage", pick a layout, upload your two photos, and save.

Adjusting size, spacing, and background color

Most tools let you control three things after you upload your photos: how large each photo appears, how much space sits between them, and what color or image fills that space. In Pixlr and Photoshop Express, you resize by dragging the corners of each photo. In Canva and Photo Collage, the template controls the size, but you can usually zoom in or out on each photo to show more or less of it.

The background between photos is usually white or black by default. To change it, look for a "Background" button or tap the empty space itself. You can usually choose a solid color, a gradient, or even upload a third image as the background. For most uses — combining two photos to share on social media or in a message — the default white background works fine.

If your two photos are very different sizes (one is a portrait, one is a landscape), the tool will either stretch the smaller one to match or add extra background space around it. Preview the result before you read. If it does not look right, try a different layout or resize one photo manually before uploading.

Saving and sharing your combined photo

Once you read or save your combined image, it lives on your computer or phone like any other photo. You can email it, text it, upload it to social media, or print it. The file size is usually small enough to send by email or messaging app without any trouble.

If you are combining photos for a specific purpose — a before-and-after for social media, a side-by-side comparison for a document, a collage for a printed poster — think about the final size before you read. A photo that looks fine on a phone screen might be too small to print clearly. Most online tools let you choose the resolution or dimensions before you read, usually under an "Export" or "Settings" option. For screen sharing, 1200 pixels wide is standard. For printing, 300 pixels per inch at your intended print size is the rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine more than two photos at once?

Yes. Canva and Photo Collage both offer templates for three, four, or more photos. Pixlr and Photoshop Express are designed for two, but you can combine two photos, then combine that result with a third photo by repeating the process. It takes a bit longer but works.

What if my two photos are different sizes or orientations?

The tool will either stretch the smaller photo to match the larger one, or add background space around it. Preview the result before you read. If it does not look right, try a different layout, or resize one photo in a separate tool first to match the other's dimensions.

Do I need an account to use these tools?

Pixlr and Photopea do not require an account for basic combining. Canva asks you to sign up (free) but does not charge. PicsArt and Photoshop Express require a free account on your phone. Photo Collage does not.

Can I undo my changes after I read the combined photo?

No. Once you read, the image is final. If you want to make changes, open the combined photo in the tool again and re-arrange it. Most tools save your project so you can come back to it, but check before you close the app.

What file format should I use when I read?

JPG is the standard for photos and works everywhere — email, social media, printing. PNG preserves more detail and allows transparency (a see-through background instead of white or black), but files are larger. For combining photos, JPG is usually the right choice.