The two-dimensional vortex-in-cell method is used in the simulation of a spatially growing mixing layer at a high Reynolds number. Criteria, showing that the vortex grid density plays a role in obtaining a converged solution, are presented. Numerical experiments are conducted to test the criteria by varying the number of vortices and the grid sizes. The effects on the momentum thickness and on the peak values of the root-mean-square velocity fluctuations, and negative cross-stream correlation are discussed in terms of the vortex grid density.