In order to solve the hot spot problem near base station in wireless sensor networks, a grid optimization scheme based on progressive compensation is proposed. The key point of this scheme is to find out the number of nodes each layer required to compensate for its previous layer after the traditional grid generation, which will increase the number of nodes belonging to the grids near base station. This scheme can be applied to the routing protocols based on grid and improve their performance. Simulations show that it performs well to improve the hot spot problem and prolong the network lifetime.