How many squares should a drawing grid have?

Choose divisions for the job in front of you. A simple still life with a vase, table edge, and cast shadow can be read through four by four or six by six divisions. A close face packs important changes into a smaller area, so ten by ten or twelve by twelve may make the eye line, nostrils, and mouth easier to locate. A landscape depends on its structure: a building needs enough cells to keep verticals and roof angles honest, while foliage often reads better as large value masses.

More lines do not automatically mean more accuracy. A cramped grid encourages copying isolated fragments and makes it harder to see a continuous contour crossing from one cell to the next. Start slightly coarser than you think you need. If you cannot state which landmark needs another division, do not add it.

For a commission, test density on the digital reference before ruling the physical sheet. The best count is one you can reproduce cleanly at the final size and still read under studio light.