What side by side photos are and why you'd make one

A side by side photo is two or more images placed next to each other in a single frame — usually to show a before-and-after, a comparison, or a sequence. The simplest version uses a basic image editor to open a blank canvas wider than a single photo, then paste your images into it. You do not need design software or special skills; most phones and computers have what you need already built in.

People make these for social media posts, family comparisons, home renovation documentation, or just to show how something changed. The appeal is that both images stay at their original quality and appear together without cropping or shrinking either one.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest route on any device is a free image editor like Canva, Pixlr, or your phone's built-in photo app, which all have side by side templates ready to use.
  • If you want more control, open a blank canvas in Paint (Windows), Preview (Mac), or Photoshop Elements, make it wide enough for both images, and paste them in.
  • Resize and position each image so they are the same height and sit evenly on the canvas without overlapping.
  • Save the finished file as a JPG or PNG so you can share it anywhere without losing quality.

Using a template in Canva or Pixlr (fastest method)

Canva and Pixlr both offer free versions with pre-made side by side layouts. Open Canva in your browser, click "Create a design," search for "side by side" or "before and after," and pick a template. Pixlr works the same way: go to pixlr.com, click "Open," and choose a template from the library.

Once you pick a template, click on each image placeholder and upload your own photos. The template automatically sizes and positions them, so you only need to drag them into place. You can adjust spacing, add text, or change the background color if you want. When you are done, click "read" and save it as a JPG or PNG.

This method takes five to ten minutes and requires no knowledge of image dimensions or canvas size. The trade-off is that you are locked into the template's layout — if you want a different spacing or arrangement, you will need to use an editor instead.

Creating a custom layout in Paint or Preview

If you want full control over size and spacing, use Paint (Windows) or Preview (Mac). Open Paint, go to File > New, and set the width to twice the width of your photo plus some space for a gap. If your photo is 1000 pixels wide, make the canvas 2100 pixels wide and set the height to match your photo's height. Leave the background white or pick a color you want behind the images.

On Mac, open Preview, go to File > New, and set the same dimensions. Then open your first image in a separate Preview window, select all (Command+A), copy it (Command+C), switch back to your blank canvas, and paste it (Command+V). Drag it to the left side. Repeat with the second image and drag it to the right. You can resize either image by dragging its corners if they are different heights.

In Paint on Windows, open your first image, copy it, switch to your blank canvas, paste it, and drag it into position. The process is identical. Save the result as a JPG or PNG file when you are done.

Resizing images so they match in height

If your two photos are different sizes, you need to resize one so they line up evenly. The easiest way is to resize them before you paste them into the canvas. In Paint or Preview, open the first image, go to Image > Resize (or Tools > Adjust Size on Mac), and note the height in pixels. Then open the second image and resize it to the same height, keeping the width proportional so it does not look stretched.

If you have already pasted them into your canvas, you can resize them there instead. In Paint, right-click the image and choose "Resize." In Preview, click the image and drag a corner handle to make it smaller or larger. Hold Shift while dragging to keep the proportions correct and avoid distortion.

Line them up so their tops and bottoms are even. If there is extra space above or below one image, add padding to the canvas height so both sit centered vertically.

Making the images the same width (optional)

Some people prefer side by side photos where both images are exactly the same width, even if that means cropping one slightly. This creates a more formal, symmetrical look. To do this, decide what width you want each image to be, then crop both photos to that width before pasting them.

In Paint, open an image, go to Image > Crop, and drag the crop box to the width you want. In Preview on Mac, click Tools > Crop, drag the box, and click Crop. Once both images are the same width and height, paste them into your blank canvas side by side.

This method takes longer but produces a cleaner result if you are sharing the photo on social media or printing it.

Saving and sharing your finished photo

Once your images are positioned and you are happy with the spacing, save the file. In Paint, go to File > Save As, pick a location, name the file, and choose PNG or JPG format. PNG keeps more detail but makes a larger file; JPG is smaller and works everywhere. In Preview, go to File > Export, pick the format, and save.

If you used Canva or Pixlr, click the read button and choose your format. Most phones also let you save directly to your camera roll or photo library. JPG is the safest choice for social media because every platform accepts it.

Test the file by opening it on your phone or computer to make sure both images are clear and the spacing looks right. If you need to adjust anything, open the file again in your editor, make the change, and save it with the same name to replace the old version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a side by side photo on my phone?

Yes. On iPhone, use the Photos app to open an image, tap Edit, and look for layout or collage options — some versions have them built in. On Android, use Google Photos, open an image, tap Edit, and look for Collage. Both are free. For more control, read Canva or Pixlr on your phone and use their templates.

What if my two photos are very different sizes?

Resize them to the same height before you paste them into the canvas. Open each image in Paint or Preview, go to Image > Resize, and set them both to the same height. The width will adjust automatically to keep them from looking stretched. Then paste them side by side.

Should I use JPG or PNG?

Use JPG for social media, email, or anywhere file size matters — it is smaller and works on every device. Use PNG if you want the highest quality and do not mind a larger file, or if you plan to edit the image again later. For most people, JPG is the right choice.

Can I add text or a border to my side by side photo?

Yes. In Canva or Pixlr, click the text tool and type what you want. In Paint, go to Insert > Text Box. In Preview on Mac, you cannot add text easily, so use Canva instead. Borders are simpler in Canva — just pick a frame style from the templates.

How do I make the gap between the images bigger or smaller?

When you create your blank canvas, make it wider or narrower than twice the image width. If you want a bigger gap, add more pixels to the width. If you want the images closer, subtract pixels. For example, if each image is 500 pixels wide and you want a 50-pixel gap, make the canvas 1050 pixels wide instead of 1000.