By Anvil N Ink Publishing · Updated October 2026 · 5 min read
In D&D 5e, one battle map square represents five feet. For printed maps and miniatures, that square is one inch. For virtual tabletops, Roll20’s default is 70 pixels per square and Foundry VTT’s default is 100 pixels per square. Most encounters fit on a map of 20 by 20 to 30 by 30 squares.
Battle map grid size cheat sheet
| Use | One square equals | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| D&D 5e rules | 5 feet | Movement, reach and spell areas all assume this |
| Print and miniatures | 1 inch | Standard for minis and battle mats |
| Roll20 | 70 pixels | Roll20’s default grid unit |
| Foundry VTT | 100 pixels (default) | Adjustable per scene; Universal VTT files set it on import |
| Detailed art master | 140 to 256 pixels | Higher detail for zooming; scale down for VTT |
How many squares should a battle map be?
- Small room or skirmish: 15 by 15 to 20 by 20 squares.
- Typical encounter: 20 by 20 to 30 by 30 squares.
- Big set piece, chase or siege: 40 by 30 squares or more, or several linked maps.
A longbow reaches 150 feet, which is 30 squares, so ranged fights need room. Melee-heavy fights play better on tighter maps where every square matters.
How to work out pixel size for your VTT
Multiply squares by pixels per square. A 30 by 20 square map at 70 pixels per square is 2,100 by 1,400 pixels for Roll20. The same map at 100 pixels per square is 3,000 by 2,000 pixels for Foundry. Very large images can load slowly for players, so don’t export at print resolution for online play.
Ink Hammer exports the sizes for you: gridded and gridless WebP, a Roll20-sized JPG, a full-size master PNG, and a Universal VTT file that tells your tabletop its own grid size.
Square or hex?
D&D 5e is written for squares, but hex grids make diagonal movement fairer and suit outdoor and naval maps. The Dungeon Master’s Guide includes optional rules for hexes. Ink Hammer supports square, pointy-top hex and flat-top hex grids.
Gridded or gridless?
Export both if you can. Gridless maps look better and let your VTT draw its own grid; gridded maps are essential for printing and for tables that count squares on screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What scale is a D&D battle map? Five feet per square, with one inch per square for printed maps.
What size is a Roll20 grid square? 70 by 70 pixels by default.
What size is a Foundry VTT grid square? 100 pixels by default, but you can change it per scene.
Next: learn the full process in how to make D&D battle maps, or make your maps VTT-ready with walls, doors and lighting.