Put Two Photos Side by Side: Simple Ways to Combine Them

Updated 10 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To put two photos side by side, create a canvas or layout with two columns, place one image in each column, and save the combined result as a new image. The exact steps depend on your device and app, but a collage or side-by-side layout is usually the simplest option.

What a Side-by-Side Photo Means

A side-by-side photo is a single image made from two separate pictures arranged next to each other. The finished file can be useful for comparing a change over time, showing two views of an event, making a before-and-after image, or sharing portraits together.

This is different from viewing two files next to each other in a photo gallery: a gallery displays two separate images, while a side-by-side composition exports as one image. It is also different from overlaying one photo on another, which places images on top of each other rather than in separate areas.

Before starting, decide whether you want the photos to have equal space, whether they should be cropped to matching proportions, and whether you need a border or a small gap between them. Those choices affect how the final image looks and how much of each original photo remains visible.

Choose a Method for Your Device

Most people can make this layout using a built-in photo editor, a presentation or document app, or a dedicated collage tool. The names of buttons vary, but the basic process is the same: create a blank layout, insert two images, arrange them, and export or save the result.

Phone or tablet: Look for a collage, layout, or create feature in your photo app. If it does not offer a two-photo layout, use an image-editing app with a canvas and image layers.
Computer: Use an image editor, a slide or drawing app, or a collage maker. A slide app can work well when you want to position images precisely and export the slide as an image or PDF.
Quick comparison: A document or presentation is often enough if the result is mainly for viewing or printing. For a polished image to post or send, an editor that exports directly to a common image format may be more convenient.

When using a web-based tool, consider whether you are comfortable uploading the photos. For personal or sensitive pictures, an offline editor may be a better fit.

How to Make the Layout

The following workflow applies to most collage tools and editors. Exact menu names differ, so look for equivalent controls such as “new canvas,” “add image,” “align,” and “export.”

Create a blank canvas or choose a two-column template. A template is the quickest route. A blank canvas gives you more control over the width, spacing, and background.
Add both photos. Import or insert the images, then place one in the left area and the other in the right area. Keep each image inside its own half rather than stacking them.
Set the proportions. Resize the images to fit. If the layout should be symmetrical, make the two panels the same width and height. Use alignment or snapping guides when available.
Choose fit or fill. “Fit” shows the entire photo but may leave empty space. “Fill” covers the panel but can crop the edges. Check faces, text, and other important details after cropping.
Adjust the background and divider. A narrow gap, border, or contrasting background can make the separation clear. Keep it simple if the two images are meant to be compared directly.
Export or save a copy. Choose an image format such as JPEG or PNG if you need one shareable picture. Save the editable project separately if you may want to change the layout later.

For a before-and-after image, put the earlier photo on the left and the later photo on the right, or add short labels so the order is unambiguous. If the pictures were taken from different positions, avoid implying that every visible difference is due to the change being documented.

Aspect Ratio, Cropping, and Image Quality

The aspect ratio is the relationship between an image’s width and height. Two portrait photos placed side by side produce a relatively wide final image; two landscape photos can make an especially wide composition. A square canvas may therefore crop substantial portions of the originals or leave unused space.

For a clean result, choose a canvas shape that suits the source photos and where you plan to use the finished image. If both photos have the same orientation, matching panel shapes usually makes alignment easier. If they differ, decide whether to crop one, allow different panel sizes, or leave a neutral border around the smaller-looking image.

Use fit when showing the complete scene matters more than filling every pixel.
Use fill when a uniform layout matters and cropping is acceptable.
Keep the original files. Cropping and resizing the composition should not replace your only copies.
Export at a size appropriate to the destination. Enlarging a small image cannot restore detail that was not in the original.

JPEG is commonly used for photographs and produces compressed files; repeated saving can reduce image quality. PNG can preserve sharp edges and avoids that kind of lossy compression, although the file may be larger. The best choice depends on the editor and how you will share or use the result.

Common Problems and Fixes

One photo looks stretched: Preserve its proportions while resizing. If necessary, crop it instead of changing its width and height independently.
Important details disappear: Switch from fill to fit, reposition the crop, or make the panel larger. Inspect the preview at full size before exporting.
The photos are unevenly aligned: Use alignment guides, matching panel dimensions, or numeric position controls if available.
The result looks blurry: Start with the original, full-resolution files and avoid enlarging a small preview or screenshot. Export at a suitable resolution.
A border or gap appears unexpectedly: Check the template’s spacing and background settings. Some layouts include margins by default.

A frequent misconception is that placing two photos in one layout automatically gives them the same visual scale. It does not: a close-up portrait and a distant group photo can occupy equal-size panels while their subjects appear very different in size. Adjust the crop or panel layout if visual scale is important, and avoid distorting either original.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I put two photos side by side on my phone?
Use a collage or layout feature if your photo app provides one. Otherwise, open an editor that supports a canvas, add both pictures, arrange them in two columns, and save or export the composition.

Can I combine two photos without downloading an app?
Often, yes. A built-in photo tool, browser-based editor, or presentation app may be enough. Available features vary by device, and online tools may require uploading the files.

How do I put two photos next to each other without cropping?
Choose a fit option, or enlarge the canvas to accommodate each full image. The result may include blank space or borders, especially if the photos have different proportions.

What is the best format for a side-by-side photo?
JPEG is a practical choice for ordinary photographs and smaller file sizes. PNG can be useful when preserving crisp edges or avoiding lossy compression matters. Follow any format requirements of the place where you will share it.

Can I make a before-and-after picture?
Yes. Place the earlier and later images in separate panels, keep the crops as consistent as possible, and add clear labels or dates when the order might be unclear.

How do I keep the original photos?
Export the combined image as a new file rather than saving over the source images. If you might edit the layout again, keep the editor’s project file as well.

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