Google Meet’s automatic layout adapts to the meeting, while its legacy tiled layout uses a fixed grid without portrait cropping. Choose according to whether you need flexible use of space or a steadier set of tiles. The layout affects your view and can remain selected for future meetings.
Open the layout choices
In the computer meeting, choose More and Change layout. Select Auto (dynamic) to let Meet adapt tile sizes according to the browser window, participant count, and active presentation. Portrait tiles may crop some background. Watch how the display changes before deciding whether this arrangement serves the current discussion.
Choose a fixed grid when useful
Select Tiled (legacy) for the fixed grid. Google says it can show up to 49 people when there is no active presentation, with 16 tiles shown by default. Use the tile-count slider to choose the available number you need. More tiles mean smaller images, so the largest count may make faces or gestures harder to follow.
Check performance and saved behavior
The actual number displayed depends on browser size and presentation activity. Google also notes that processor limitations may prevent a tile selection from being saved. If the display freezes or becomes sluggish, reduce the tile count and close nonessential applications or tabs. Do not interpret fewer visible tiles as proof that participants left; open the People panel to check connections. When a particular person needs to stay visible, inspect pinning separately rather than expecting the layout alone to preserve their position. Recheck the selected layout at your next meeting because Meet saves layout preferences, and the arrangement suitable for a large discussion may not suit a detailed presentation.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 4, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.