Four-panel figure with micrographs and graphs
Combine microscopy with three quantitative views.
Source: R PlantGrowth and Puromycin
Multi-Panel Figure Maker
FigranArrange images and graphs into a labeled multi-panel figure at your journal’s size.
- Grid or free layout
- Automatic A, B, C labels
- Journal widths, 300–1000 DPI
Panels
Layout
Labels & text
Size & export
183 mm · 2161 × 12 px @ 300 dpi
Export ▾
Multi-panel figure examples
Explore ways to combine images, graphs and diagrams in a multi-panel figure.
Image montage: DAPI, GFP and merge
Compare fluorescence channels side by side.
3 channels · 1 row
Western blot figure with quantification
Place a blot beside its quantitative summary.
Source: R PlantGrowth
One large panel and two small panels
Give a tissue overview more space than its graphs.
Source: R PlantGrowth
Time-course grid with row and column labels
Compare conditions across three time points.
2 conditions · 3 time points
Trial figure: flow diagram and survival curve
Place trial flow and survival results together.
Source: R survival (lung)
How to make a multi-panel figure
To make figures for scientific papers, combine images, arrange panels and export a multi-panel figure.
1Add images
Choose the images and graphs for your figure.
2Choose a layout
Arrange your multi-panel figure in a grid or place panels freely.
3Add labels
Choose panel labels and add text where needed.
4Size and download
Choose a journal width and resolution, then download.
Journal figure sizes and resolution
Check your target journal's current figure guidelines before submitting; the table links to each one.
| Journal | Figure width | Maximum height | Resolution / text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature | 89 / 120–136 / 183 mm | 170 mm | 5–7 pt text | Nature figure guidelines |
| PLOS ONE | 66.8–190.5 mm | 222.3 mm | 300–600 DPI | PLOS ONE figure guidelines |
| Elsevier | 90 / 140 / 190 mm (min 30 mm) | Not specified | 300 / 500 / 1000 DPI | Elsevier figure guidelines |
Elsevier recommends 300 DPI for photographs (halftones), 500 DPI for combined images and line art, and 1000 DPI for line art.
Nature Communications specifies 88 mm for one column and 180 mm for two columns. Nature Communications instructions
Panel labels, spacing and effective DPI
Illustrative images
- 1Use the same label style throughout.
- 2Keep spacing consistent between panels.
- 3Align panel edges without stretching the images.
- 4Check source detail at the final print size.
Use consistent labels and align panel edges. Fit preserves each image without stretching; Fill crops it. Separate images from different sources or gels clearly. Effective DPI shows the source detail available at the chosen print size. Rossner and Yamada (2004)
Multi-panel figure FAQ
What is a multi-panel figure?
A multi-panel figure combines related labeled panels in one file. Describe each panel in the figure legend.
What size should a figure be for Nature, PLOS or Elsevier?
Choose your journal and column width before arranging a multi-panel figure. The table above links to each journal’s current guidance.
What DPI do journals require?
Elsevier recommends 300 DPI for photographs, 500 for combinations and 1000 for line art; PLOS ONE requests 300–600 DPI. This tool also shows effective DPI for each source panel.
Should panel labels be uppercase or lowercase?
Follow your target journal's instructions and keep labels consistent. PLOS accepts uppercase or lowercase labels.
Can I combine images of different sizes without stretching them?
Yes. Fit keeps the whole image; Fill crops it while preserving its proportions.
Does resizing change my images?
The exported copy is resampled to the requested size at 300 DPI or higher; the original file is unchanged. Changing only the DPI label does not add detail, and enlarging an image cannot recover it.
Which file format should I submit: TIFF, PNG or SVG?
Use TIFF with lossless LZW compression when requested by the journal, PNG for general use, and SVG for further editing in Illustrator or Inkscape.
Are my images uploaded?
No. Images are processed in your browser and are not retained when you leave.
Make your figure
Arrange your panels and download a journal-sized figure.