If you’re interested in developing your own tile grid map for the United States, you can download the Excel file I created here: template-tile-grid-map.xlsx. Caitlin Dempsey is the editor of Geography Realm and holds a master's degree in Geography from UCLA as well as a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from SJSU.

A grid on a city map makes it easy to find a place in the city. The grid divides the geographic area into convenient sections bordered by lines whose intersections create convenient reference points. Make a map of your city. Using a compass, orient the top of the large map page to true north.

In a grid map, each region is represented as a tile of the equal shape and size. The tiles are placed to fit within a grid at positions that approximate real geographic position. If the tile is a square, the grid is rectangular. If the tile is a hexagon, then the grid is like a honeycomb. See the US maps below:

Design stunning custom maps with ease. No art background or design software necessary. Use Canva’s free online map maker and create your maps you can add to infographics, documents, presentations, and even websites.