Blog

Trace any
drawing.

Want to draw anything perfectly? Use our app Lightbox draw to turn your phone or tablet into a lightbox and trace any image onto paper.

Get it on Google Play
4.4
3800+ reviews
Download on the App Store
4.3
180+ reviews
Hand tracing a drawing on paper placed over a phone running the Lightbox draw app
Lightbox draw app screenshot converting a photo of a girl into clean traceable line art

The problem

Drawing freehand from a reference is hard, and real lightboxes are bulky and expensive. Been there, done that.

That's why we developed Lightbox draw - put a sheet of paper over your screen, lock the display, and trace. You can even convert photos to clean line art first.

Perfect for artists, students, designers, and hobbyists.

850 000+ downloads

We feel grateful that more than 850 000 people used our app to learn and create drawings. We're happy to be part of their journey.

Girl tracing a drawing on paper placed over her phone with the Lightbox draw app

Download our Lightbox draw app for Android or iOS

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free app to turn my phone into a lightbox for tracing?

Lightbox draw is a free app for iOS and Android. It turns your phone or tablet into a lightbox so you can place paper over the screen and trace any image. Over 850,000 people have used it to draw.

Can I use my phone as a lightbox to trace a drawing?

Yes, that's the whole point of the app. Put a sheet of paper over your screen, lock the display so it stays put, and trace the image showing through.

Can I trace my own photos?

Yes. You can load any image from your phone, and you can even turn a photo into clean line art first so it's easier to trace.

Is Lightbox draw free?

The app is free to download and try. There's an optional paid upgrade if you want to unlock the full set of features.

Who is Lightbox draw for?

Artists, students, designers, and hobbyists. Anyone who wants to copy a drawing accurately without a bulky physical lightbox.

Do I need to print anything?

No. The image shows on your screen, so you just lay a sheet of paper over the display and trace. No printer required.

What devices does Lightbox draw work on?

It works on both Android and iOS, on phones and tablets. A bigger screen gives you more room to trace.

How do I trace with the app?

Open the image you want, lock the screen so it stays in place, put a sheet of paper over the display, and trace the lines showing through.