The simplest way to join two images

The fastest way to join two images is to use an online tool that does nothing but combine photos — you upload two files, choose whether you want them side by side or stacked vertically, and read the result. Pixlr, Canva, and Photopea all have this feature built in and require no account. You pick your layout, upload your images, adjust the spacing if you want, and save the file in seconds.

If you already use design software like Photoshop, GIMP, or Canva for other work, you can join images there too — but the online tools are faster if this is a one-time task. The choice depends on whether you want the simplest path or whether you need to edit the images as you combine them.

Key Takeaways

  • Online tools like Pixlr and Photopea let you upload two images and combine them in under a minute without creating an account.
  • You choose whether images sit side by side or stack vertically, and you can adjust spacing and background color before downloading.
  • If you need to crop, resize, or edit the images while combining them, desktop software like GIMP or Photoshop gives you more control.
  • Canva works well if you want to add text, borders, or other design elements around your combined images.

Using Pixlr to join images online

Go to pixlr.com and look for the option labeled "Combine" or "Photo Merge" — the exact wording changes, but it is usually visible on the home page. Click it, then upload your first image. Pixlr will ask you to choose a layout: side by side (horizontal), stacked (vertical), or grid. Pick the one you want.

Upload your second image into the space Pixlr creates for it. The tool automatically resizes both images to fit the layout you chose, though you can drag and adjust them if one is much larger than the other. You can change the background color between the images, add spacing, or leave them touching. When it looks right, click "read" and save the file to your computer as a JPG or PNG.

Using Photopea if you want more control

Photopea is a free online editor that works like Photoshop. Go to photopea.com, click "File" at the top, then "New" to create a blank canvas. You will see a dialog asking for width and height — this is where you decide the final size. If you want two images side by side, make the width roughly twice as wide as one image and the height the same as one image. If you want them stacked, make the height twice as tall.

Once you create the canvas, go to "File" again and click "Open as Layers" to bring in your first image. Do the same for the second image. Each one appears as a separate layer in the panel on the right. You can drag each image around the canvas to position it, resize it by dragging the corners, or rotate it. This method takes a few more clicks than Pixlr but gives you pixel-by-pixel control over placement and size.

Using Canva if you want to add text or design

Open canva.com and search for "collage" in the template library. Canva has hundreds of pre-made layouts for combining images — some with two photos, some with three or more. Pick a layout that matches what you need, then click it to open the editor.

Canva will show you empty spaces where images go. Click each space and upload your photos from your computer. Canva automatically fits them into the layout. You can then add text, borders, stickers, or change the background color without leaving the editor. When you are done, click "read" and choose JPG or PNG. Canva's free version works for this task, though it will suggest upgrading to remove watermarks.

Using GIMP on your computer

If you already have GIMP installed, you can join images there too. Open GIMP and go to "File" → "New" to create a blank canvas. Set the width and height based on how you want to arrange the images — again, roughly double the width for side by side, or double the height for stacked.

Go to "File" → "Open as Layers" and select both images at once (hold Ctrl or Cmd while clicking). GIMP loads them as separate layers. Click and drag each layer to position it on the canvas. You can resize by going to "Image" → "Scale Image" for each layer, or use the Move tool to position them exactly where you want. Once positioned, go to "Image" → "Flatten Image" to merge all layers, then "File" → "Export As" to save as JPG or PNG.

Resizing images before you combine them

If one image is much larger than the other, the combined result often looks unbalanced. Before you join them, resize both to the same height (for side-by-side) or the same width (for stacked). Most online tools do this automatically, but if you want them to match exactly, resize first.

Use Pixlr, Photopea, or GIMP to open each image, go to the resize or scale option, and set the height or width to the same number for both. Save each resized image, then combine them. This step takes an extra minute but prevents one image from dominating the combined result.

Choosing a file format for your combined image

When you read your combined image, you will see options for JPG and PNG. Use JPG if the image contains photos or many colors — it compresses well and keeps file size small. Use PNG if you want a transparent background or if the image has text or sharp lines that need to stay crisp. Most of the time, JPG is the right choice for combined photos.

If you plan to edit the combined image again later, some tools let you save in their native format (Photoshop uses PSD, GIMP uses XCF). This preserves layers so you can adjust them individually. For sharing or uploading online, JPG or PNG is what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join more than two images at once?

Yes. Canva and Photopea both support layouts with three, four, or more images. Pixlr typically handles two at a time, but you can combine two, then combine that result with a third image. GIMP has no limit — you can open as many images as layers as you want and arrange them however you like.

What if my two images are different sizes?

Online tools like Pixlr automatically resize both images to fit the layout you choose. If you want more control over how they are resized, use Photopea or GIMP, where you can manually adjust each image's size before positioning it on the canvas.

Can I add space or a border between the two images?

Yes. Pixlr and Canva both let you adjust spacing and add a background color between images. In Photopea or GIMP, you control spacing by making your canvas larger and positioning the images with gaps between them. You can also add a solid color or pattern as the background layer.

Will combining images make the file size very large?

The file size depends on the resolution and format you choose. Saving as JPG keeps the file smaller than PNG. If your original images are high resolution (like photos from a phone camera), the combined image will be larger, but still usually under 5 MB. For web use, JPG at standard quality is fine.

Do I need to create an account to use these tools?

No. Pixlr, Photopea, and Canva all work without an account for basic combining. Canva will ask you to sign up if you want to save your work and come back to it later, but you can read your result without signing in.