How to create a side-by-side before and after image

You have a before photo and an after photo, but sending them separately makes the difference harder to see. Put them in one image with matching sizes and a consistent crop, and people can compare them at a glance.

You can build the layout with separate image layers in the Photo Editor. The steps below cover sizing, alignment, labels, and a final check before you export.

Make the before-and-after image

Open the Photo Editor and start a project with a canvas wide enough for two panels. Choose a panel shape that suits your photos. For example, two landscape panels that are each 1,200 by 800 pixels, with a 40-pixel gap, need a canvas 2,440 pixels wide and 800 pixels high.
Place the before and after photos on separate layers. Use the same panel dimensions for both. If the original photos have different proportions, crop them to the same shape, keeping the important subject in a similar position in each.
Arrange the before photo on the left and the after photo on the right. Align their top and bottom edges. Leave a narrow, even gap between them, or let their edges meet for a simple split layout.
Add a text layer above each photo if viewers might not know which is which. Use short labels such as Before and After, and place them in matching positions with similar text size and color.
Zoom out to view the full composition, then check the panel edges, labels, and any empty areas. Export a finished copy in the format and size you need, while keeping the editable project if you plan to revise it later.

Keep the original photos unchanged while you work. If the after photo includes color or lighting edits, apply them to that photo layer only, rather than changing the whole composition.

Choose a layout that fits the photos

Use matching panels for a fair comparison

Equal-size panels make it easier to compare details. Try to use the same camera angle, distance, and framing in both photos. If one photo shows more of the subject, crop it to match the other instead of stretching it. Stretching can make objects look wider or taller than they really are.

Pick a gap or divider

A small gap separates the images without taking attention away from them. A solid vertical divider can make the split more obvious, while touching edges save space. If you use a gap, keep it narrow and the same color as the background so it reads as a deliberate part of the layout.

Keep labels easy to compare

Labels help when the change is subtle or the image may be shared without an explanation. Put both labels in the same relative position, such as near the top of each panel. Use enough contrast to read them, but avoid large text that covers the details you want people to notice. For a very clear pair, the images alone may be enough.

Fix common layout problems

The subjects look different in size. Check that both panels use the same dimensions and that neither image was stretched. If the camera position changed between shots, match the subject size by adjusting the crop, not by distorting the photo.
The top or bottom edges do not line up. Select one photo layer at a time and align its edge with the canvas or the other panel. Zoom in while adjusting; a one-pixel mismatch can be visible along a long straight edge.
Important details are cut off. Reposition the crop to include the same feature in both photos. Leave a little space around the subject so the comparison does not feel cramped.
Labels disappear into the image. Move them to a less busy area or choose a more readable color. A simple background behind a label can help, but keep its size and placement consistent on both sides.
The exported image looks soft. Avoid enlarging a small source photo beyond its original resolution. Choose an output size that is appropriate for where you will share it, and check the exported file at its intended display size.

Check the comparison before sharing

Look at the finished image at normal viewing size, not just while zoomed in. Confirm that the two sides are in the intended order, the labels are correct, and the same area is visible in each photo. If the comparison is meant to show a specific change, make sure the framing does not hide or exaggerate it.

The Photo Editor runs in your browser, and photos you open stay on your device.